 ▲ 7일 낮 청와대에서 열린 여야정 민생경제협의체 회담·오찬. 앞줄 왼쪽부터 정청래 더불어민주당 대표·이재명 대통령·장동혁 국민의힘 대표. 뒷줄 왼쪽부터 강훈식 비서실장·김민석 총리·홍익표 정무수석. © 뉴시스 |
이재명 대통령이 7일 여야정 민생경제협의체 회담·오찬에서 "지금 대한민국 헌법이 제정된 지 너무 많은 세월이 지나 좀 안 맞는 옷처럼 돼 있는 상황"이라며 개헌 필요성을 주장했다.
이 대통령은 이날 낮 청와대에서 열린 더불어민주당 정청래·국민의힘 장동혁 대표 등과의 오찬 회동 모두 발언에서 이같이 말한 후 "5·18 때마다 야당(민주당)은 여당일때도 '5·18 정신을 헌법 전문에 게재하겠다' 한 걸로 기억한다"며 "이번에도 5·18이 다가오는데 그 점에 이견 없는 것 같다"고 했다.
또 "야당(민주당)이 당시 했던 이야기 중 '부마항쟁도 같이 넣자' 이리 했는데 타당하다 생각한다"며 "얼마 전 탄핵 1주년 기념으로 당 지도부에서 나온 표현인지 정확하진 않고 맞는 거 같은데 계엄 사태가 문제 있었다는 지적한 것 같고, 계엄 요건 강화는 반드시 필요한 거 같다"고 제안했다.
이어 "계엄을 남용할 수 없도록 하는 건 누가 반대할까 싶다"며 "지방자치 강화도 이견 없는 부분이라 순차적·점진적 개헌 측면에서 좀 긍정적으로 수용해주면 어떨까 싶다"고 요청했다.
그러면서 "사실 국민의힘 도움이 없으면 개헌은 불가능하다"며 "한 번 진지하게 긍정적으로 논의해주길 부탁 드린다"고 했다.
더불어 1차 추가경정예산안에 포함된 소득 하위 70%에 대한 고유가 피해 지원금 관련해선 "유류세 인상으로 파생되는 물가 상승이 워낙 커 그로 인한 고통을 조금이라도 보전해 줘야 한다는 생각을 갖고 있다"며 "현찰 나눠주기라는 건 조금 과한 표현이란 생각이 든다"고 했다.
이 대통령은 "대외적 위기에 의한 유류가 급상승으로 인한 국민들 어려움을 지원을 위해 소득 70% 이하에 소위 전쟁 피해 지원금을 준비했다"며 "지금 편성된 예산 재원이 어디서 빚 내거나 다른 데서 억지로 만들거나 국민들에 증세 하거나 해서 만든 게 아니다"고 했다.
이어 "경제가 일정 부분 회복 되면서 예상보다 더 늘어난 세수를 활용하는 것으로 세수는 국민을 위해 반드시 써야 하는 돈"이라며 "재원 한계 때문에 국민 30%는 실질 고통을 겪으면서도 또 세금은 솔직히 더 많이 내면서도 지원받지 못하는 부분에 안타깝고 죄송하게 생각한다"고 했다.
또 "재원이 넉넉하면 당연히 모든 국민들에 동등한 기회를 지원해야 하는데 그러지 못하는 점이 아쉽다"며 "나눠주는 현금 포퓰리즘은 결코 아니다"고 했다.
그러면서 "국민들이 피땀 흘려 번 돈으로 낸 세금이고 공정·합리적으로 써야되는 돈인데 정부 입장에선 가장 중요한 지원 방식이라 생각한 것"이라며 "이건 정부의 의견이니 국회 차원에서 잘 논의해주면 좋겠다"고 요청했다.
더불어 "추경이 정말 중요하다는 건 장 대표도 인정하는 것 같다"며 "지금 예산안은 정부 의견인 만큼 심의 의결권을 갖고 있는 국회서 여야가 충분히 토론해 필요 부분은 보완하고 불필요한 부분은 조정해달라"고 요청했다.
이 대통령은 "의견이 다를수록 자주 만나 얘기하는 게 좋다"며 "같은 사실을 두고 다르게 얘기해 버리면 대화 아닌 싸움이 될 수 있는 만큼 팩트에 기반한 논의가 필요하다"고 덧붙였다.
 ▲ 7일 낮 청와대에서 열린 여야정 민생경제협의체 회담·오찬. © 뉴시스 |
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 Trworking hard to improve understanding. It is assumed that there may be errors in the English translation.
President Lee Jae-myung: "The current Constitution is ill-fitting... Please include the spirit of May 18 and the Bu-Ma Uprising in the Preamble."
At the meeting and luncheon of the People's Livelihood Economy Consultative Body involving the ruling and opposition parties and the government, it was stated: "The supplementary budget was not funded by taking on debt, forcing it into existence, or raising taxes on the people... The budget proposal is the government's opinion; we ask the ruling and opposition parties in the National Assembly to engage in sufficient discussion to supplement necessary parts and adjust unnecessary ones."
-kihong Kim reporter
President Lee Jae-myung argued for the necessity of amending the Constitution during a meeting and luncheon with the ruling and opposition parties and the government on the Livelihood Economy on the 7th, stating, "Too much time has passed since the Constitution of the Republic of Korea was enacted, and it has become like ill-fitting clothes."
Making these remarks during his opening statement at a luncheon held at the Blue House that afternoon with Democratic Party leader Chung Cheong-rae and People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk, President Lee said, "I recall that whenever the May 18 Uprising occurred, the opposition party (Democratic Party) would say they would 'include the spirit of May 18 in the Preamble of the Constitution,' even when they were the ruling party." He added, "As the May 18 Uprising approaches again, it seems there is no disagreement on that point."
He further proposed, "Among the suggestions made by the opposition party at the time was to 'include the Bu-Ma Uprising as well,' which I think is reasonable." He continued, "I am not entirely sure if this expression came from the party leadership recently in commemoration of the first anniversary of the impeachment, but it seems correct; it appears they were pointing out that the martial law situation was problematic, and strengthening the requirements for martial law seems absolutely necessary."
He continued by asking, "I wonder who would oppose ensuring that martial law cannot be abused," and requested, "Since there is no disagreement on strengthening local autonomy, I hope you will accept this positively in terms of a sequential and gradual constitutional amendment."
He added, "In fact, a constitutional amendment is impossible without the help of the People Power Party," and asked, "I ask that you discuss this seriously and positively."
Furthermore, regarding the relief funds for high oil price damages for the bottom 70% of income earners included in the first supplementary budget, he stated, "The price increase stemming from the fuel tax hike is so significant that I believe we must compensate for the resulting suffering, even if only slightly," adding, "I think calling it 'handing out cash' is a bit of an exaggeration."
President Lee said, "We have prepared so-called 'war damage relief funds' for the bottom 70% income bracket to support the difficulties faced by the people due to the sharp rise in fuel prices caused by external crises," and emphasized, "The funds for the budget currently being compiled were not created by borrowing money from elsewhere, forcibly generating funds from elsewhere, or raising taxes on the people."
He continued, "We are utilizing tax revenue that has increased more than expected as the economy recovers to a certain extent; tax revenue is money that must be spent for the people." He added, "I feel regretful and sorry that due to resource limitations, 30% of the population is suffering real hardship and, frankly, paying more in taxes, yet receiving no support."
He also stated, "If resources were ample, we should naturally provide equal opportunities to all citizens, but it is regrettable that we are unable to do so," emphasizing, "This is by no means cash populism."
He further requested, "This is tax revenue paid with the people's hard-earned blood and sweat, and it is money that must be spent fairly and rationally; from the government's perspective, we considered this to be the most important method of support," adding, "Since this is the government's opinion, I hope the National Assembly will discuss it thoroughly."
In addition, he noted, "It seems Representative Jang also acknowledges the importance of the supplementary budget," and requested, "As the current budget proposal represents the government's opinion, I ask that the ruling and opposition parties in the National Assembly, which holds the power of deliberation and approval, engage in sufficient discussion to supplement necessary parts and adjust unnecessary parts."
He concluded by saying, "It seems Representative Jang also acknowledges the true importance of the supplementary budget." President Lee stated, "The more differing opinions are, the better it is to meet and talk frequently," adding, "Since differing accounts of the same facts can turn into a fight rather than a conversation, discussions based on facts are necessary."
