From a dissident who was imprisoned for advocating Taiwanese independence to become one of the most important staff members of the Cabinet, Lee Ying-Yuan, the Minister of the Council of Labor Affairs, has witnessed the democratic development in Taiwan for the past twenty years. His involvement also plays a very significant role in Taiwan democracy.
Education
In 1988, after receiving Ph.D. in Health Economics from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a letter of appointment from NTU, Lee was denied the entry to his homeland because he was blacklisted for his involvement in the World United Formosans for Independence , a US-based organization advocating Taiwan independence, during the early 1980s.
Return to Taiwan
After returning to Taiwan through illegal channels and playing cat-and-mouse game with intelligent agents for fourteen months, he was arrested with other independence advocates, which triggered the movement to repeal Article 100 of the Criminal Code. Strong pressure from the international community and within Taiwan itself forced the legislature to abolish the Article. Not only Lee and others were released but also freedom of speech and association was firmly established in Taiwan.
Member of Parliament
Lee started to show his strong leadership in public affairs after elected to the National Parliament, the Legislative Yuan, in 1996.
With abundant experience of being the convener of Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee and Sanitation, Environment and Social Welfare Committee, Lee then became the youngest convener of the Democratic Progressive Party caucus in the legislature. Following DPP’s successful presidential election in 2000, Lee was appointed by President Chen Shui-Bian to be the Deputy Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S. and then Secretary-General of the Executive Yuan. Because of his remarkable leadership and accomplishment, Lee was DPP’s candidate for Taipei City Mayor in 2002.
Lee was not defeated by the loss of the election and began to organize the hand-in-hand rally. On February 28, 2004, millions of people formed a 400-kilometer human chain from north to south of Taiwan. It was the biggest ever protest against China and clearly showed the determination of Taiwanese people to protect their country. Many also believed that the 228 rally boosted the support for President Chen’s re-election. Regardless of his position, Lee always maintains a great optimistic and energetic spirit. Because of his easy-going personality and extraordinary leadership, Lee is highly respect by his colleagues as well as the public.
Private Life
Lee is married to Ms. Laura Huang and has two sons.
Political career
*1976 Graduated from National Taiwan University with B.S. in Public Health
*1976-1978 Served as a reserve officer in Kinmen, Taiwan
*1980 Graduated from National Taiwan University with M.S. in Public Health
*1981 Received M.P.H. in Health Policy and Management from Harvard University
*1983 Founded Taiwanese Collegian in the U.S. Blacklisted by Taiwan government
*1988 Received Ph.D. in Health Economics from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
*1988-1990 Associate Professor at University of South Dakota
*1988 Granted the Letter of Appointment from National University Taiwan but unable to return due to the blacklist
*1990 Vice President of the World United Formosans for Independence
*1990.7 Returned to Taiwan through illegal channels and played seek-and-hide with intelligence agents
*1991.9 Arrested on charges of sedition and imprisoned in Tuche Detention Center for nine months and triggered the attention on freedom of speech and association
*1992.5 Article 100 of the Criminal Code abolished Acquitted of all charges and guaranteed freedom of speech and association
*1995.12 Elected Legislator Member, Legislative Yuan
*1998.12 Re-elected Legislator Member, Legislative Yuan
*1999.8 Convener of the DPP Legislative caucus
*2000.11 Deputy Representative, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S.
*2002.2 Secretary General, Executive Yuan, Taiwan
*2002.7 DPP candidate for Taipei City mayor
*2003.2 DPP Deputy Secretary-General
*2004 Executive Director of the 228 Million-people Hand-in-Hand Rally
*2005.2 Secretary-General, Executive Yuan, Taiwan
*2005.9 Minister of Council of Labor Affairs, Executive Yuan, Taiwan
*2008.1 Secretary-General, Democratic Progress Party
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