ED Im's UAE visit

There are lingering questions regarding a recent visit to the United Arab Emirates by Im Jong-seok, presidential chief of staff, despite Cheong Wa Dae’s explanations.

The opposition camp and some local media outlets have raised suspicions that the purpose of Im’s visit to the UAE was to assuage concerns on a nuclear power plant project in the UAE following the Moon Jae-in administration’s announcement of a nuclear phase-out policy.

Cheong Wa Dae has fanned controversy over Im’s visit by going back and forth on its explanations regarding the purpose of the trip. At first, the presidential office said that Im had gone to the UAE to raise the morale of Korean troops deployed there. But that explanation carried little weight as Defense Minister Song Young-moo visited the troops in the region only a month ago.

Im’s visit came just ahead of President Moon’s Dec. 13 visit to China, his first since taking office. It is highly unusual for the chief of staff to be out of town while the President is getting ready for such an important diplomatic occasion. These circumstances led many to believe that Im had been tasked with an urgent mission during his UAE visit.

So far, Cheong Wa Dae has not provided a clear explanation of exactly what Im was up to in the UAE. When its initial explanation failed to subdue the controversy, the presidential office seemed to blame the previous Park Geun-hye administration. A Cheong Wa Dae official reportedly told the press that Im had visited the UAE as a special envoy of the President to work on issues that had strained bilateral issues during the Park presidency.

It is disappointing that Moons’ Cheong Wa Dae is blaming the previous administration for problems that are happening now. Im dodged the National Assembly’s request to appear for questioning. He should clearly explain why he was in the UAE to quell suspicions once and for all.