Lin Fei-fan (Chinese: 林飛帆; pinyin: Lín Fēifán; born 19 May 1988) is a Taiwanese politician and activist, currently serving as deputy secretary-general of Taiwan's National Security Council. Lin was one of the leaders of the Sunflower Student Movement. He joined the Democratic Progressive Party as deputy secretary-general in 2019.
Lin Fei-fan | |
|---|---|
| 林飛帆 | |
 Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Deputy Secretary-General of the National Security Council | |
| Assumed office 20 May 2024 Serving with Hsu Szu-chien and Liu Te-chin | |
| Secretary-General | Joseph Wu |
| Preceded by | York Chen |
| 22nd Deputy Secretary-General of the Democratic Progressive Party | |
| In office 15 July 2019 – 18 January 2023 | |
| Secretary-General | Luo Wen-jia Lin Hsi-yao Sydney Lin |
| Preceded by | Hsu Chia-ching |
| Succeeded by | Yang Yi-shan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 May 1988 East, Tainan, Taiwan |
| Nationality | Taiwan |
| Political party | Democratic Progressive Party |
| Education | National Cheng Kung University (BA) London School of Economics (MA) National Taiwan University (MA) |
| Known for | Leader of The Sunflower Student Movement |
Early life and education
editLin was born on 19 May 1988 in Tainan, Taiwan. After graduating from the Department of Political Science at National Cheng Kung University, Lin received his MA in political science from National Taiwan University in 2017 and a second MA in comparative politics from the London School of Economics in 2018.[1]
Activism career
editCourt proceedings against 21 protesters began in June 2016. Lin was among the first to be charged with various offenses, along with Chen Wei-ting and Huang Kuo-chang.[2] In a March 2017 Taipei District Court decision, Chen, Huang, and Lin were acquitted of incitement charges.[3]
Political career
editLin joined the Democratic Progressive Party in July 2019 as deputy secretary-general.[4][5][6][7]
The DPP endorsed Lin's legislative candidacy in May 2023, for Taipei 3 in the 2024 Taiwanese legislative election.[8] Lin dropped out two weeks later, after media coverage of a 2022 sexual assault allegation against a director hired by the party. Handling of the allegation was said to have been mishandled by Lin's former subordinate Hsu Chia-tien, and Lin said he would assume responsibility as head of the department.[9][10][11]
On May 15, 2024, Lin was appointed deputy secretary-general at Taiwan's National Security Council, effective May 20, 2024, under the leadership of Joseph Wu in the Lai Ching-te administration.[12] He is the youngest individual to hold the position.[13]
Personal life
editLin married Lin Ya-Ping in June 2017.[14]
Publications
editArticles
edit- Seeds of the Sunflower Movement, Jamestown Foundation, February 16, 2024[15]
- Skepticism Toward U.S. Support for Taiwan Harms Regional Security, National Interest, March 15, 2023 (co-authored with Wen Lii)[16]
- It’s time the free world commits to the defense of Taiwan, New York Times, August 12, 2022[17]
- Americans should stop using Taiwan to score political points against Trump and China, The Washington Post, December 6, 2016 (co-authored with Chen Wei-ting and June Lin)[18]
References
edit- ^ Who is Lin Fei-fan/林飛帆? A brief bio of the student leader behind Taiwan’s Sunflower Movement
- ^ Pan, Jason (15 June 2016). "Sunflower leaders to face justice system 'head-on'". Taipei Times. p. 1. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
- ^ Hou, Elaine; Wang, Yang-yu; Liu, Shih-yi (31 March 2017). "Sunflower movement leaders acquitted over legislature occupation". Central News Agency. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
- ^ "Sunflower Leader Lin Fei-fan Joins DPP as Deputy Secretary General". 15 July 2019.
- ^ Lee, Hsin-fang; Chung, Jake (14 July 2019). "Sunflower student leader to be DPP deputy: source". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
- ^ Yeh, Su-ping; Kao, Evelyn (15 July 2019). "Former student movement leader appointed DPP deputy secretary-general". Central News Agency. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
- ^ Herait, Alice (2024-04-14). "Taiwan Sunflower Movement sowed the seeds of a new civil society". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ^ Pan, Jason (1 June 2023). "William Lai touts young candidates". Taipei Times. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ Yeh, Su-ping; Wang, Cheng-chung; Chao, Yen-hsiang (13 June 2023). "DPP legislative nominee Lin Fei-fan withdraws amid sexual misconduct claims". Central News Agency. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ "Lin Fei-fan drops out of race amid assault response controversy". Taipei Times. 13 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ "DPP's Lin Fei-fan withdraws from election over party's handling of harassment case | Taiwan News | Jun. 14, 2023 10:07". taiwannews.com.tw. 2023-06-14. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
- ^ "Former Taiwan student protest leader to join NSC". taiwannews.com.tw. May 14, 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ TVBS. "Lin Fei-fan's appointment to NSC raises eyebrows│TVBS新聞網". TVBS. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ Chen, Kuan-pei; Tang, Shih-ming (12 June 2017). "CUPP protesters, police show up for Sunflower wedding". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
- ^ "Seeds of the Sunflower Movement". Jamestown. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ^ Fei-fan Lin, Wen Lii (2023-03-15). "Skepticism Toward U.S. Support for Taiwan Harms Regional Security". The National Interest. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
- ^ "Opinion | It's time the free world commits to the defense of Taiwan". Washington Post. 2022-08-12. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ^ Lin, Fei-fan; Chen, Wei-ting; Lin, June (December 7, 2016). "Americans should stop using Taiwan to score political points against Trump and China". Washington Post.
