Cheong Wa Dae rejects opposition allegations over presidential staff chief's visit to UAE
SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- A senior presidential official on Sunday rejected opposition allegations that presidential chief of staff Im Jong-seok's recent visit to the United Arab Emirates was aimed at preventing the Middle Eastern nation from cutting off relations with South Korea.
"The suspicions the opposition party are raising are not true at all," the official said.
Rep. Kim Sung-tae, floor leader of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, has raised suspicions the UAE has strongly criticized the government of President Moon Jae-in for spreading corruption allegations between the country and the government of former President Lee Myung-bak over the 2009 contract to export nuclear power reactors.
Kim has also alleged that the UAE's crown prince has even mentioned the possibility of severing diplomatic relations with South Korea, and Moon's chief of staff hurriedly visited the country in an effort to calm tensions and resolve the situation.
Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, head of the minor opposition People's Party, has also raised similar suspicions.
Last week, Im traveled to the UAE and Lebanon as a special presidential envoy to visit South Korean troops deployed in the countries, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
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