 ▲ 용산 대통령실 청사 ©뉴시스 |
대통령실이 4일 전날 외신 기자회견에서 이재명 대통령이 국민 북한 억류 사실을 파악 못했던 사안에 "조속한 남북대화 재개 노력을 통해 해결하겠다"고 밝혔다.
대통령실은 이날 오전 출입 취재진 공지를 통해 "현재 국민 6명(탈북민 3명 포함)이 지난 2013~2016년에 걸쳐 간첩죄 등 혐의로 억류된 걸로 파악된다"며 이같이 전했다.
그러면서 "남북 간 대화·교류 장기 중단 상황서 분단으로 인한 국민 고통은 지속되고 있고, 문제 해결이 시급한 상황"이라고 덧붙였다.
앞서 전날 이 대통령은 지난 2024년 12·3 비상계엄 1년을 맞아 청와대에서 열린 외신 기자회견에서 "북한에 억류 중인 국민 10명에 대해 어떤 노력을 할 것인가"란 'NK 뉴스' 기자 질의에 "처음 듣는 얘기"라고 말했다.
그러면서 위성락 국가안보실장에게 "한국 국민이 잡혀있다는 게 맞나..언제부터 어떤 경위로"라고 물었고, 위 실장은 "들어가 못 나오는 경우거나 알려지지 않은 경위로 붙들린 경우가 있고, 시점은 파악해봐야 한다"고 답했다.
이어 이 대통령은 "아주 오래전 벌어진 일이라 개별 정보가 부족하다"며 "상황을 좀 더 알아보고 판단토록 하겠다"고 덧붙였다.
현재 북한은 김정욱·김국기·최춘길 선교사·탈북민 3인 등 국민 6명을 불법 체포·억류 중인 가운데 생사 확인조차 해주지 않고 있다.
국회 외교통일위 간사 김건 국민의힘 의원은 페이스북을 통해 "질문한 기자나 다른 외신기자들도 (이재명) 대통령의 예상치 못한 답변에 놀랐을 것"이라며 "억류자가 있다는 기본 사실조차 대통령이 몰랐다는 건 매우 실망스럽다"고 꼬집었다..
영문 기사의 [전문]입니다. '구글번역'은 이해도 높이기를 위해 노력하고 있습니다. 영문 번역에 오류가 있을 수 있음을 전제로 합니다.<*The following is [the full text] of the English article translated by 'Google Translate'. 'Google Translate' is working hard to improve understanding. It is assumed that there may be errors in the English translation.
The Blue House stated, "Six citizens are detained in North Korea. The issue should be resolved through the prompt resumption of inter-Korean dialogue."
"Six citizens (including three North Korean defectors) were detained on charges of espionage and other crimes between 2013 and 2016," Lee Jae-myung said, "This is the first time I've heard of this." Kim Geon, a member of the People Power Party's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, said, "It's very disappointing that the president was unaware of even the basic fact that there were detainees."
-kihong Kim reporter
The Blue House announced on the 4th that it would "resolve the issue of President Lee Jae-myung's detention in North Korea through efforts to quickly resume inter-Korean dialogue," regarding the issue, which President Lee had failed to identify during a press conference the previous day.
In a notice to reporters that morning, the Blue House stated, "Currently, six citizens (including three North Korean defectors) have been detained on charges including espionage between 2013 and 2016."
They added, "With inter-Korean dialogue and exchanges suspended for a long time, the suffering of the people due to division continues, and a resolution to the issue is urgent."
Earlier, at a press conference for foreign correspondents held at the Blue House to mark the first anniversary of the December 3, 2024 martial law, President Lee responded to a question from an NK News reporter asking, "What efforts will be made regarding the 10 citizens detained in North Korea?" with, "This is the first time I've heard of this."
He then asked National Security Office Director Wi Sung-rak, "Is it true that South Korean citizens are being held? Since when and under what circumstances?" Wi responded, "Some are unable to leave after entering, or others are being held for unknown reasons. We need to determine the exact time frame."
President Lee then added, "This happened a long time ago, so we lack specific information," and added, "We will investigate the situation further and make a judgment."
Currently, North Korea is illegally arresting and detaining six citizens, including missionaries Kim Jong-wook, Kim Kuk-gi, Choi Chun-gil, and three defectors, without even confirming their fate.
People Power Party lawmaker Kim Geon, floor leader of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, wrote on Facebook, "The reporter who asked the question, as well as other foreign correspondents, must have been surprised by President Lee Jae-myung's unexpected response. It is extremely disappointing that the president was unaware of even the basic fact that there were detainees."
