Independent lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo announced Wednesday that his policy think-tank would be launched on Thursday.

“Tomorrow will take a form that is open to the public. Communication with the public will be considered as the highest priority, and a network will be formed with civic forums in various fields,” Ahn said.

“The field of research will be issues regarding the livelihoods of the public. (The think-tank) will voice the problems of the public, and reflect them (in politics).” 

The think tank, named Policy Network Tomorrow, will be headed by professor Jang Ha-sung of Korea University.

Jang served as Ahn’s top policy adviser during last year’s presidential election, and has been the driving force behind the nation’s minor shareholders’ movement.

The post of the think tank’s chairman of the board will be filled by Korea University professor emeritus Choi Jang-jip, one of the country’s leading liberal academics.

Choi has also been a strong supporter of Democratic Party adviser Sohn Hak-kyu, about whom speculation of a possible alliance with Ahn arose last year following one-on-one meetings after Ahn forfeited the presidential election in favor of the then-DP’s Rep. Moon Jae-in.

By Choi He-suk  (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)