 ▲ 18일 오후 용산 국방부에서 열린 국방부·국가보훈부 업무 보고 © 뉴시스 |
이재명 대통령이 18일 "잠시 사회 혼란이 있긴 했으나 군이 대체로 제자리를 잘 지켜주고 국가·국민에 대한 충성 의무를 제대로 이행해줘 오늘의 대한민국이 있다"고 했다.
이 대통령은 이날 오후 용산 국방부에서 열린 국방부·국가보훈부 업무 보고 모두 발언에서 이같이 말한 후 "혼란스러운 점들이 꽤 있긴 하나 이런 과정도 더 나은 미래를 위한 토대가 될 수 있다는 생각으로 새 마음으로 시작하면 좋겠다"고 했다.
그러면서 "국가공동체 존속을 위해 가장 중요한 건 공동체 자체를 보전하는 것"이라며 "여러분이 하는 일이 얼마나 중요한지 다시 되새기면서 국민의 군대로서 대한민국이 강력한 국가로 존속할 수 있도록 본연 임무를 제대로 수행해주길 기대한다"고 했다.
또 국가보훈부 업무에 대해 "공동체 자체를 위해 희생·헌신한 것을 존중·예우·보상치 않으면 앞으로 우리가 위난에 처했을 때 누가 앞에 나서겠느냐"며 "특별한 희생을 치른 구성원에 특별한 보상을 함으로써 공동체가 각별한 희생을 잊지 않았다는 것을 언제나 보여주고 증명해야 한다"고 했다.
이어 민주유공자법 논란에 대해 "현금 보상 이런 건 없으며 실질 보상은 의료·요양 지원을 국가유공자에 준해 준다는 것 정도"라며 "민주유공자법이 정쟁 대상이 된 바람에 민주화 운동을 하다 죽거나 다친 사람이 엄청난 현금을 받는 것처럼 가짜뉴스가 유포돼있다"고 했다.
더불어 제주 4·3 사태 당시 진압 작전을 주도한 고 박진경 대령의 국가유공자 지정 관련해 "제주 4·3 유족 입장에선 매우 분개하고 있다"며 "잘 처리됐음 좋겠고 방법을 찾아보기로 하자"고 했다. 앞서 지난 15일 이 대통령은 박 대령에 대한 국가유공자 지정 취소를 검토하라고 지시한 바 있다.
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.
President Lee Jae-myung: "The military experienced a brief period of social unrest, but generally maintained its position."
The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs report: "The most important thing for the survival of the national community is to preserve the community itself. We must provide special compensation to members who have made special sacrifices, and we must always demonstrate and prove that the community has not forgotten those who have made extraordinary sacrifices."
-kihong Kim reporter
President Lee Jae-myung said on the 18th, "While there was a brief period of social unrest, the military generally held its ground and faithfully fulfilled its duty of loyalty to the nation and its people, which is why we have the Republic of Korea we know today."
President Lee made these remarks during a briefing on the work of the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs held at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan that afternoon. He then added, "While there are some confusing aspects, I hope we can begin with a fresh mind, believing that this process can also lay the foundation for a better future."
He continued, "The most important thing for the survival of the national community is preserving the community itself. I hope you will remind yourself of the importance of your work and faithfully fulfill your primary mission as the people's military, ensuring that the Republic of Korea remains a strong nation."
He also said about the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, "If we do not respect, honor, and reward those who have sacrificed and dedicated themselves for the community itself, who will step forward when we face danger in the future?" and "We must always show and prove that the community has not forgotten those who have made special sacrifices by providing special compensation to those who have made special sacrifices."
Regarding the controversy over the Act on Meritorious Service to Democracy, he said, "There is no such thing as cash compensation, and the only real compensation is that medical and nursing support is provided on a par with that of those who have rendered meritorious service to the nation." He added, "Because the Act on Meritorious Service to Democracy has become a subject of political strife, fake news is being spread that makes it seem like people who died or were injured during the democratization movement are receiving huge amounts of cash."
Regarding the designation of the late Colonel Park Jin-kyung, who led the suppression operation during the Jeju April 3 Incident, as a person of national merit, he said, "As a bereaved family of the Jeju April 3 Incident, I am deeply indignant," and added, "I hope this is handled properly, and we will find a way." On the 15th, President Lee had previously instructed consideration of revoking Colonel Park's designation as a person of national merit.
