Independent Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo’s think-tank Policy Network Tomorrow on Sunday named 466 people to its regional committees as Ahn seeks to establish a nationwide supporter base.
The newest members will work in committees for 12 regions including Seoul, Busan-South Gyeongsang Province and the Chungcheong provinces. With these additions, the think-tank now has 534 regional committee members.
The latest list includes individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, from former judges and civil servants to academics and labor activists.
The think-tank plans to select members for committees for Daegu and the Gangwon and North Gyeongsang provinces in the near future.
“As channels of communication for resolving issues regarding people’s livelihoods, the committee members will listen to public opinion, suggest alternatives and seek solutions,” the think-tank said.
The think-tank’s regional committees are also expected to spearhead the formation of Ahn’s party in the provinces as he seeks to consolidate his position ahead of local elections on June 4, 2014.
Although Ahn has yet to elaborate on his plans for founding a party, the independent lawmaker is widely expected to establish his own powerbase in the near future. The former presidential candidate had opted to withhold fielding candidates in the recent by-elections due to its small scale. Despite earlier expectations, only two constituencies were contested in the October elections, due to courts postponing rulings on more than 10 parliamentarians whose election had been brought into question.
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
