TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan will name rock star and former legislator Freddy Lim (林昶佐) as its next representative to Finland, reports said Saturday.

After gaining fame as the lead singer of the metal band Chthonic, Lim, 49, led the Taiwan chapter of Amnesty International and supported the 2014 Sunflower Student Movement. He was elected to the Legislative Yuan with the New Power Party but later became an independent before leaving politics in 2024.

An unnamed source involved in foreign policy confirmed Lim’s imminent appointment, according to the Liberty Times. The government reportedly hopes to inject new energy into Taiwan’s diplomacy and expand ties with European countries.

The official described Finland as a mature democracy with a strong commitment to human rights and social welfare. The Nordic country also has a vibrant heavy metal scene—another point of connection with Lim, the report said.

Lim’s background as an activist for Taiwan, human rights, and cultural causes makes him a fitting choice to represent Taiwan in Finland. His profile also aligns with Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung’s (林佳龍) efforts to diversify Taiwan’s diplomatic outreach.