.jpg/dims/resize/740/optimize) |
| Rep. Park Hong-geun of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, left, interrupts as Liberty Korea Party floor leader Rep. Kim Sung-tae speaks about suspicions surrounding presidential chief of staff Im Jong-seok's recent visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during a meeting of the National Assembly House Steering Committee, Tuesday. / Yonhap |
By Choi Ha-young
Opposition parties are criticizing over a senior presidential aide's recent visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The largest opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) demanded the National Assembly House Steering Committee receive a briefing on the visit by Im Jong-seok, President Moon Jae-in's chief of staff, from Dec. 9 to 12. The LKP believes Im's visit was to quell a diplomatic row with the UAE, while Cheong Wa Dae said he was dispatched to encourage Korean soldiers in the Middle East region.
Media reports are fuelling suspicions around Im's visit. In 2009, under former President Lee Myung-bak, the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) won a nuclear power plant construction deal in the UAE and Lee took part in the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant's ground-breaking ceremony in 2011.
Rumors are rampant that the UAE government is furious about President Moon's nuclear phase-out policy, which may cause problems with the project. Previously, Im's visit was rumored to be for a secret meeting with North Korean delegates.
"There is also a rumor that the UAE even mentioned the severance of diplomatic relations, and Im was sent as a special envoy to resolve the issue," LKP floor leader Kim Sung-tae said during a committee meeting. "The Moon government has caused a diplomatic stir, being immersed in political retaliation against its conservative predecessors."
The conservatives have blasted Moon's energy shift from nuclear to renewable, calling it a "populist drive." They view it as that the liberal government abandoning national interest by undermining the project worth of 20 trillion won ($18.4 billion).
The minor liberal People's Party added to the criticism of the administration. "Defense Minister Song Young-moo paid a visit to the Korean troops there, only a month before Im's visit. The opposition parties' suspicions are on point," Rep. Kwon Eun-hee of the People's Party said.
Im, the central figure of the "scandal," did not appear before at the committee saying he was on his annual holiday. "Attending the committee is a chance to clarify the truth. Im seems to be having cold feet," Rep. Chang Je-won of the LKP said.
The opposition lawmakers grilled the ruling camp to identify who accompanied Im. "Why did a deputy chief of the spy agency, Suh Dong-gu, join Im's trip, if the trip really was aimed to encourage soldiers?" Rep. Kim demanded. "Suh was an advisor to KEPCO during Lee administration, when it was pushing for the export deal."
According to UAE media outlets, Im met Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation. "He is in charge of the power plant construction," Kim said. "The presidential office should stop beating around the bush. Come forth and reveal who Im met there and what was the exact purpose of the special envoy."
The committee was postponed for 30 minutes in protest from the DPK lawmaker Park Hong-geun who was shouting in front of the committee members regarding the procedural legitimacy of the committee. "How can the Assembly call the committee based on a groundless rumor?" Park roared.
"This is such a political offensive. The committee is invalid, since the DPK refused to agree with the meeting agenda."
This is not the first time that the conservatives took issue with Im, student activist-turned-politician. In the parliamentary audit last month, LKP lawmakers grilled the chief of staff's alleged "pro-North Korea" ideology. Regarding the question, Im responded he is "insulted" saying he betted his life to fight for democracy.
![[PHOTOS] Turkey-Syria earthquake](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/newsV2/images/TURKEY_EARTHQUAKE_001_7ee1545749a45.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] 'Growth slowdown can accelerate depletion of retirement pension fund'](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/1b8c230b7aa14896bf5b639acd01a9ee.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Veteran US photographer gives environment 'visual voice' to chronicle climate change](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/9d491d25431d4e9b980fee78427589dc.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[PHOTOS] Turkey-Syria earthquake](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/newsV2/images/TURKEY_EARTHQUAKE_001_7ee1545749a45.jpg/dims/resize/262/optimize)
