The Middle School Student Killed in the Neck-Slashing Incident Was Named 'Yang Chengxun'! After Three Years of Advocacy, Father Yang's Plea to Reveal His Son's Name Is Approved — 'He Can Finally Exist Openly'

In 2023, a shocking campus neck-slashing incident erupted in New Taipei City, Taiwan, when a ninth-grade student was fatally stabbed with a spring knife. The perpetrators, referred to as the 'Dry Brother' and 'Dry Sister,' were sentenced to 12 and 11 years in prison, respectively. Nearly three years after the incident, the victim’s parents have continued their efforts to publicly reveal their son’s name, refusing to let him remain an anonymous figure known only as the 'Yang surname middle school student' in media reports. On May 5, the New Taipei City Government officially approved the public disclosure of the student’s real name, 'Yang Chengxun.'

Article 69 of the 'Child and Youth Welfare and Rights Protection Act' stipulates that media or promotional materials must not report information sufficient to identify a minor. As a result, the public had previously only been able to refer to the victim as the 'Yang surname middle school student.' However, Paragraph 4 of the same article includes a proviso: if, in the interest of public welfare, administrative authorities convene relevant agencies, child welfare organizations, and press associations for joint review and determine that disclosure is necessary, such restrictions do not apply.

The New Taipei City Department of Education confirmed that, following this review meeting, representatives collectively agreed that going forward, in major campus safety commemorative events and related safety education materials, the name 'Yang Chengxun' may be legally disclosed.

Mr. Yang, the father, expressed deep emotion: 'Chengxun can finally exist openly. We’ve taken another step forward.' He hopes his son can now be rightfully acknowledged in collective memory. 'At first, I couldn’t accept that my son’s name couldn’t be spoken. When someone passes away, shouldn’t they be honored? Why must he remain hidden and unnamed?' he said.

Mr. Yang also pointed out that he will continue advocating for amendments to the 'Juvenile Case Handling Act' and focus on reforming campus safety. At the time of the incident, no other teachers were present on the same floor, so he recommends installing 'emergency distress buttons' in every classroom to prevent tragedies from going unattended in the future.

Meanwhile, the criminal case has already reached a final verdict, while civil litigation is ongoing. Mr. Yang criticized the defendants’ responses in court: the 'Dry Brother,' surnamed Guo, and his father argued that the Yang couple both have jobs, future pensions, real estate, and stocks, claiming the requested compensation and mental anguish damages were excessive. The 'Dry Sister,' surnamed Lin, further claimed that high compensation would affect her future, while her parents said they were doxxed after the incident, severely disrupting their lives. 'What about our child’s future?' Mr. Yang angrily retorted. 'Is that even a human thing to say?'