 ▲ 최보윤 국민의힘 수석대변인이 국회소통관 언론 브리핑을 통해 현안에 대한 논평을 이어가고 있다. © 이제항 선임기자 |
브레이크뉴스 이제항 선임기자/시인 = 국민의힘 최보윤 수석대변인은 7일 현안에 대한 논평을 통해 캐나다 잠수함 수주 실패에 대한 문제점과 선거관리위원회의 수의계약 특혜 의혹에 대한 철저한 조사를 촉구했다. 또한, 검찰 보완수사 폐지가 가져올 부작용을 경고하는 한편, 종합특검의 수사 기한 연장 시도를 정치적 공세라고 비판했다. 아울러 정보통신망법 개정안 시행에 대해 국민의 기본권을 침해한다고 비판했다.
캐나다 잠수함 수주 실패 현안
먼저, 최보윤 수석대변인은 캐나다의 60조 원 규모 초계잠수함 사업 수주전에서 우리 기업이 고배를 마신 것에 대해 정부의 안이한 외교·안보 인식이 빚어낸 뼈아픈 결과라고 지적했다. 최 수석대변인은 “우리 기업의 뛰어난 기술력과 민관의 총력 지원에도 기대했던 성과를 거두지 못한 것은 매우 아쉬운 결과”라며, “방산 수출은 기술력과 가격만으로 결정되는 것이 아니라 외교와 안보, 전략적 신뢰가 함께 평가받는 복합적인 국가 경쟁의 영역임을 재확인시켜 준 사례”라고 강조했다. 또한, “이재명 대통령과 강훈식 비서실장이 패인에 대한 성찰보다 ‘도전의 의미’를 앞세우는 모습은 60조 원이라는 막대한 국익을 기대했던 국민의 눈높이에 미치지 못한다”고 비판했다.
그러면서 “정부는 이번 실패를 단순한 경험으로 치부해서는 안 된다”라며 “기술 경쟁력만으로 넘을 수 없는 장벽이 있다면 그 장벽을 낮추기 위한 외교적 기반을 구축하는 것이야말로 정부의 책무”라고 꼬집었다. 아울러, “이재명 정부는 우리 기업의 뛰어난 경쟁력이 실제 성과로 이어질 수 있도록 치밀하고 정교한 외교·산업 전략을 마련해야 한다”고 촉구했다.
선관위 '수의계약 카르텔' 의혹 규탄
이어, 최보윤 수석대변인은 투표용지 부실 관리로 신뢰를 잃은 선거관리위원회가 물품 조달 과정에서 특정 업체들에 수의계약을 몰아줬다는 의혹을 지적하며 말문을 열었다. 최 수석대변인은 “국조특위 자료에 따르면 최근 5년간 전국 각급 선관위가 특정 업체와 수년간 반복적으로 수의계약을 체결한 실태가 드러났다”며, “인천 서구의 한 빵집이 전국 61개 선관위와 총 140건, 4억 3,716만 원 규모의 간식 계약을 맺고, 법인 설립 한 달 만에 2억 8,359만 원의 기념품 계약을 따낸 업체가 있는가 하면, 특정 디자인 업체가 전북 지역을 중심으로 12억 5,040만 원 규모의 인쇄 봉투 계약을 독식했다”고 비판했다.
이어 “선관위는 건당 추정가격이 2,000만 원 이하여서 법적 문제가 없다고 해명하지만, 국민이 묻는 핵심은 형식적 기준 충족이 아니라 객관적 선정 기준과 비교견적, 검수 절차가 제대로 작동했는지 여부”라며, “이것이 사실이라면 선관위 내부 통제의 심각한 사각지대가 드러난 것”이라고 주장했다. 그러면서 “독립기관이라는 지위와 규정 뒤에 숨어 예산 집행 의혹에 침묵해서는 안 된다”며 “헌법기관이라는 독립성이 부실 관리와 깜깜이 계약의 면죄부가 될 수는 없다”고 꼬집었다. 아울러 “선관위는 모든 수의계약 내역과 업체 선정 사유서, 결재라인을 즉각 투명하게 공개해야 한다”며, “국민의힘은 국정조사와 특검 논의를 통해 투표용지 부족 사태 진상규명은 물론 선관위 내부의 예산 집행 전반의 불투명성을 철저히 파헤치겠다”고 덧붙였다.
민주당의 '검찰 보완수사권 폐지' 시도 저지
최보윤 수석대변인은 또한, 광주 여고생 살해범 장윤기 사건을 언급하며 경찰의 부실 수사와 유착 의혹을 비판했다. 최 수석대변인은 “초동수사를 맡았던 경찰 형사팀장이 증거인멸 혐의로 긴급체포됐고, 현직 경찰 간부인 가해자 부친과 짜고 성범죄 정황이 담긴 리얼돌과 휴대전화를 폐기하도록 도왔다”며, “이는 공권력이 조직적으로 움직여 중범죄자의 죄질을 낮추려 한 범죄행위이자 국민에 대한 명백한 배신”이라고 지적했다. 최 수석대변인은 “경찰이 단순 살인으로 묻어버릴 뻔한 이 추악한 전모를 밝혀낸 것은 다름 아닌 검찰의 보완수사였다”며, “검찰의 철저한 재조사가 없었다면 가해자는 강간살인이 아닌 일반살인 혐의로 가벼운 처벌을 받았을 것이며 피해자 가족의 억울함은 영원히 묻힐 뻔했다”고 강조했다.
또한, “그런데도 거대 여당인 더불어민주당은 오는 10월 검찰 해체와 ‘보완수사권 완전 폐지’를 밀어붙이고 있다”라며, “경찰 수사를 통제할 최소한의 브레이크마저 뽑아버린다면 제2, 제3의 장윤기 사건이 터졌을 때 국민은 누구를 믿고 호소해야 하느냐”고 비판했다. 그러면서 “민주당이 추진하는 ‘수사·기소 분리’가 현실화된다면 가장 기뻐할 이들은 흉악범들과 부패한 권력자들뿐”이라며 “견제받지 않는 권력은 반드시 부패한다”고 꼬집었다. 아울러, “국민의힘은 현 정부의 입법폭주와 사법파괴 공세에 맞서 국민과 함께 온 힘을 다해 ‘보완수사권 폐지’를 반드시 막아 세우겠다”고 전했다.
종합특검의 '3차 기한 연장' 비판
이밖에도, 최보윤 수석대변인은 민주당이 국회 법사위원장직을 확보하자마자 종합특검이 수사 기한 연장을 요구하고 나선 것을 규탄했다. 최 수석대변인은 “손발을 맞춘 듯 일사천리로 움직이는 특검의 행태는 이 특검의 본질이 오직 정쟁만을 위해 기획된 ‘정치특검’이며 민주당과 원팀임을 스스로 자백한 꼴”이라며, “이미 두 차례나 기한을 연장해 법이 허용한 마지노선까지 모두 써놓고 이제는 아예 특검법을 뜯어고쳐 기간을 늘리고 인력을 확대해 달라고 생떼를 쓰고 있다”고 주장했다. 이어 “지난 4월 권창영 특검이 참고인에게 ‘3년은 수사해야 할 것 같다’고 발언한 사실이 드러났다”며, “이재명 정부 임기 내내 보복의 칼춤을 추며 정국을 흔들고 정권의 홍위병 역할을 충실히 수행하겠다는 속내를 노골적으로 고백한 것”이라고 주장했다.
그러면서 “특검이 ‘공소유지 변호사’ 지정을 요구하는 것은 형사소송법과 헌법에 정면으로 위배되는 위헌적 행태”라며 “겉으로는 검찰을 폐지하고 수사·기소권을 분리하자면서 뒤로는 수사·기소권을 통째로 쥔 특검 인력을 늘려달라며 법치를 우롱하고 있다”고 꼬집었다. 아울러, “민심에 반하는 정치 특검의 폭주는 결국 부메랑이 돼 현 정권을 향할 것”이라며, “무소불위의 권력 남용으로 임기 내내 특검을 휘두르려다간 결국 ‘특검을 특검해야 하는 날’이 올 것임을 명심해야 한다”고 경고했다.
'전국민 입틀막법' 시행 규탄
마지막으로 최보윤 수석대변인은 당일부터 시행되는 이른바 '입틀막법'에 대해 국민의 기본권을 침해하는 초헌법적 악법이라며 비판했다. 최 수석대변인은 “비판 글이나 댓글 하나를 쓸 때조차 법적 그물망을 의식해야 하는 암흑의 시대가 시작됐다”며, “이 법의 가장 치명적인 독소는 허위와 조작의 경계를 권력의 자의적 판단에 맡겨 정권의 입맛에 맞지 않으면 언제든 ‘허위조작정보’로 몰려 단죄될 수 있다는 점”이라고 폭로했다. 최 수석대변인은 “최대 10억 원의 과징금과 실제 피해액의 최대 5배에 달하는 징벌적 손해배상 청구가 가능해져 비판 글 하나에 전 재산을 걸어야 하는 판국”이라며, “과징금 폭탄을 피하려는 플랫폼 기업들은 논란이 될 만한 게시물부터 알아서 지우는 ‘선제적 검열’을 일상화할 것”이라고 우려했다.
또한, “정권에 불편한 목소리를 불법 프레임에 가두어 원천 봉쇄하겠다는 독재적 발상”이라며, “민주당이야말로 김대업 병풍 조작부터 광우병, 사드, 후쿠시마 오염수, 청담동 술자리 괴담까지 숱한 괴담 위에서 정치적 이익을 누려온 장본인들”이라고 밝혔다. 그러면서 “이재명 대통령이 조작기소를 당했다고 외치면 입틀막법에 해당하느냐, 아니면 그 주장을 비판하면 해당하느냐”라며 “허위와 진실의 기준을 정권이 정하겠다는 순간 민주주의는 무너진다”고 꼬집었다. 아울러, “표현의 자유는 헌법이 보장한 국민의 기본권이며 이재명 정부와 민주당이 이를 강행한 것은 자승자박의 무덤을 판 일”이라며, “표현의 자유를 짓밟은 권력은 머지않아 국민의 거대한 심판 앞에 서게 될 것임을 경고한다”고 목소리를 높였다. hang5247@hanmail.net
*아래는 위 기사를 '구글 번역'으로 번역한 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>
Choi Bo-yoon, Senior Spokesperson for the People Power Party: “Lack of Awareness of Diplomacy and Security... Failure to Secure 60 Trillion Won Canadian Submarine Order”
- Strongly Criticizes NEC’s Sole-Source Contract Cartel, Abolition of Supplementary Investigations, Extension of Comprehensive Special Counsel Term, and the ‘Mouth-Stopping Law’
- “Cannot Tolerate Attempts to Cover Up Mistakes by Hiding Behind the Status of an Independent Agency and Extra-Constitutional Laws”
- People Power Party Pledges to Defend the Rule of Law and Citizens’ Fundamental Rights Through Parliamentary Investigations and Legislative Blocking
— Lee Je-hang, Senior Reporter/Poet, Break News
On the 7th, Choi Bo-yoon, Senior Spokesperson for the People Power Party, issued a commentary on current issues urging a thorough investigation into the failure to secure the Canadian submarine order and allegations of preferential treatment in the National Election Commission’s sole-source contract. Furthermore, while warning of the negative consequences that the abolition of supplementary investigations by the prosecution would bring, he criticized the attempt to extend the Comprehensive Special Counsel’s investigation term as a political offensive. In addition, he criticized the implementation of the so-called ‘Mouth-Stopping Law’ as an infringement on citizens’ fundamental rights.
Current Issue: Failure to Win Canadian Submarine Order
First, Chief Spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon pointed out that the defeat of Korean companies in the bidding war for Canada's 60 trillion won patrol submarine project was a painful result brought about by the government's complacent attitude toward diplomacy and national security. Chief Spokesperson Choi stated, "It is a very regrettable outcome that we failed to achieve the expected results despite the outstanding technological capabilities of our companies and the all-out support from both the public and private sectors." She emphasized, "This case reaffirms that defense exports are not determined solely by technological prowess and price, but are a complex realm of national competition where diplomacy, national security, and strategic trust are evaluated together." Furthermore, she criticized, "The way President Lee Jae-myung and Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik prioritize the 'meaning of the challenge' over reflecting on the reasons for the defeat falls short of the expectations of the public, who had anticipated a massive national interest worth 60 trillion won."
At the same time, he pointed out, “The government must not dismiss this failure as a mere experience,” adding, “If there are barriers that cannot be overcome by technological competitiveness alone, it is the government’s duty to build a diplomatic foundation to lower those barriers.” Furthermore, he urged, “The Lee Jae-myung administration must devise meticulous and sophisticated diplomatic and industrial strategies so that the outstanding competitiveness of our companies can lead to actual results.”
Condemnation of Allegations of a ‘Sole-Source Contract Cartel’ at the National Election Commission
Next, Chief Spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon opened his remarks by pointing out allegations that the National Election Commission, having lost credibility due to poor management of ballot papers, had funneled sole-source contracts to specific companies during the procurement process. Chief Spokesperson Choi criticized, stating, “According to data from the Special Committee on State Affairs Investigation, it has been revealed that over the past five years, election commissions at all levels nationwide have repeatedly entered into sole-source contracts with specific companies over several years.” He added, “A bakery in Seo-gu, Incheon, signed snack contracts worth 437.16 million won across 140 cases with 61 election commissions nationwide, while a company secured a souvenir contract worth 283.59 million won just one month after establishing its corporation. Furthermore, a specific design firm monopolized printing envelope contracts worth 1.2504 billion won, primarily in the Jeonbuk region.”
He continued, “The election commission explains that there are no legal issues because the estimated price per contract is less than 20 million won, but the core question the public is asking is not merely the fulfillment of formal standards, but whether objective selection criteria, comparative quotations, and inspection procedures functioned properly.” He argued, “If this is true, it exposes a serious blind spot in the internal controls of the election commission.” At the same time, he pointed out, “They must not remain silent on suspicions regarding budget execution while hiding behind their status and regulations as an independent agency,” adding, “The independence of a constitutional body cannot serve as an excuse for mismanagement and opaque contracts.” Furthermore, he stated, “The National Election Commission must immediately and transparently disclose all details of sole-source contracts, reasons for vendor selection, and approval lines,” and added, “The People Power Party will thoroughly investigate the lack of transparency in the Commission’s overall budget execution, as well as uncover the truth behind the ballot paper shortage, through discussions on a parliamentary investigation and a special prosecutor.”
Blocking the Democratic Party’s Attempt to Abolish the Prosecution’s Supplementary Investigation Authority
Chief Spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon also criticized the police’s negligent investigation and allegations of collusion, citing the case of Jang Yoon-ki, the murderer of a female high school student in Gwangju. Chief Spokesperson Choi pointed out, “The police detective team leader in charge of the initial investigation was emergency arrested on charges of destroying evidence and colluded with the perpetrator’s father, a high-ranking police officer, to help dispose of a ‘real doll’ and a mobile phone containing indications of the sexual crime.” He added, “This is a criminal act in which public authority mobilized systematically to mitigate the severity of a serious offender’s crime, and it is a clear betrayal of the people.” Chief Spokesperson Choi emphasized, “It was none other than the prosecution’s supplementary investigation that uncovered the full, ugly truth of this case, which the police nearly buried as a simple murder.” He continued, “Without the prosecution’s thorough reinvestigation, the perpetrator would have received a light punishment for ordinary murder rather than rape-murder, and the injustice suffered by the victim’s family would have been buried forever.” Furthermore, he criticized, “Despite this, the massive ruling Democratic Party is pushing ahead with the dissolution of the prosecution and the ‘complete abolition of supplementary investigation authority’ this coming October,” adding, “If even the minimal brakes to control police investigations are removed, whom should the public trust and turn to when a second or third Jang Yoon-ki case breaks out?” He pointed out, “If the ‘separation of investigation and prosecution’ pushed by the Democratic Party becomes a reality, the only ones who will be happiest are heinous criminals and corrupt power holders,” noting, “Unchecked power inevitably corrupts.” He also stated, “The People Power Party will stand with the people and do everything in its power to stop the ‘abolition of supplementary investigation authority’ to counter the current government’s legislative recklessness and offensive to destroy the judiciary.”
Criticism of the Comprehensive Special Counsel’s ‘Third Extension’
In addition, Chief Spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon condemned the fact that the Comprehensive Special Counsel demanded an extension of the investigation period immediately after the Democratic Party secured the chairmanship of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Chief Spokesperson Choi asserted, “The Special Counsel’s behavior, moving swiftly as if in perfect coordination, amounts to a self-confession that the true nature of this special counsel is a ‘political special counsel’ designed solely for political infighting, and that they are a ‘one team’ with the Democratic Party.” He continued, “They have already extended the deadline twice, exhausting the legal limit, and are now making unreasonable demands to completely overhaul the Special Counsel Act to extend the period and expand the personnel.” He further claimed, “It has been revealed that last April, Special Counsel Kwon Chang-young told a witness, ‘It seems the investigation will take three years,’” arguing, “This is a blatant confession of their true intention to shake the political landscape by wielding a retaliatory sword dance throughout the Lee Jae-myung administration’s term and faithfully fulfill the role of the regime’s Red Guards.” At the same time, he pointed out, “The Special Counsel’s demand for the designation of a ‘prosecution maintenance attorney’ is an unconstitutional act that directly violates the Criminal Procedure Act and the Constitution,” adding, “While outwardly advocating for the abolition of the prosecution and the separation of investigative and prosecutorial powers, they are mocking the rule of law by demanding an increase in personnel for the Special Counsel, who hold both investigative and prosecutorial powers entirely.” Furthermore, he warned, “The reckless actions of a political Special Counsel running counter to public sentiment will eventually boomerang back and target the current administration,” and cautioned, “They must bear in mind that if they attempt to wield the Special Counsel throughout their term through the abuse of absolute power, the day will eventually come when ‘the Special Counsel must be investigated.’”
Condemnation of the Implementation of the ‘Nationwide Mouth-Stopping Law’
Finally, Chief Spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon criticized the so-called ‘Mouth-Stopping Law,’ which goes into effect today, calling it an extra-constitutional evil law that infringes upon the fundamental rights of the people. Chief Spokesperson Choi revealed, “A dark age has begun where one must be conscious of the legal net even when writing a single critical post or comment,” adding, “The most fatal poison of this law is that it leaves the boundary between falsehood and manipulation to the arbitrary judgment of power, meaning that if it does not suit the regime’s tastes, one can be branded as ‘false or fabricated information’ and punished at any time.” Chief Spokesperson Choi expressed concern, stating, “With fines of up to 1 billion won and punitive damages amounting to up to five times the actual damages becoming possible, it is a situation where one must stake their entire fortune on a single critical post.” He further warned, “Platform companies seeking to avoid these fine bombs will normalize ‘preemptive censorship,’ voluntarily deleting posts that are likely to be controversial.” Furthermore, describing it as a “dictatorial mindset attempting to completely block voices uncomfortable with the regime by trapping them within an illegal frame,” he stated, “The Democratic Party is the very culprit that has enjoyed political gains atop countless rumors, ranging from the fabrication of the Kim Dae-up screen to Mad Cow Disease, THAAD, Fukushima contaminated water, and the Cheongdam-dong drinking party conspiracy theories.” He then pointed out, “Does shouting that President Lee Jae-myung was indicted under fabrication constitute the ‘mouth-silencing law,’ or does criticizing that claim constitute it?” adding, “Democracy collapses the moment the regime attempts to define the standards of falsehood and truth.” Moreover, he raised his voice, stating, “Freedom of expression is a fundamental right of the people guaranteed by the Constitution, and the Lee Jae-myung administration and the Democratic Party’s forceful implementation of this is digging their own grave,” and warned, “I warn that a power that tramples on freedom of expression will soon stand before the massive judgment of the people.” hang5247@hanmail.net
