 ▲ 국민의힘 김태규 원내수석대변인은 19일 오후 2시 국회소통관 언론 브리핑을 통해 현안에 대한 논평을 이어가고 있다. © 이제항 선임기자 |
브레이크뉴스 이제항 선임기자/시인 = 국민의힘 김태규 원내수석대변인은 19일 오후 2시 국회소통관 언론 브리핑을 통해 대법관 임명 제청을 두고 태도를 바꾼 민주당의 트집 잡기와 법사위원장 독식을 비판했다.
아울러 기준 없는 2차 공공기관 지방이전 추진에 따른 혼란을 지적하고, 이재명 대통령의 임기 단축 및 개헌 제안을 민생 위기 회피용 정치적 연막으로 규정하며 국정 역량을 민생 회복에 집중할 것을 촉구하고 나섰다.
제청 안 하면 직무유기, 막상 하면 대통령에 대한 도전입니까?
먼저, 김태규 국민의힘 원내수석대변인은 조희대 대법원장이 어제 손봉기·김성수 두 분을 대법관으로 임명 제청했다며 말문을 열었다.
김태규 원내수석대변인은 “다섯 달 넘게 제청을 미룬다며 직무유기라 몰아세우고 탄핵까지 꺼내 들었던 민주당은, 막상 제청이 이뤄지자 이번에는 '관례를 깼다'며 국회에서 부결시키겠다고 한다”며, “대통령을 직접 찾아가지 않고 서면으로 보냈다는 것이 이유”라고 지적했다. 또한 “제청을 안 하면 직무유기이고, 제청을 하면 대통령 임명권에 대한 도전인가”라며, “무엇을 해도 탄핵감이라면 그것은 잘못을 따지는 것이 아니라 사람을 정해 놓고 트집을 잡는 것”이라고 비판했다.
이어 김 원내수석대변인은 “헌법 제104조는 대법관을 대법원장의 제청으로 대통령이 임명한다고 정하고 있으며, 청와대와 미리 협의하라는 조항은 헌법 어디에도 없다”며, “관례를 들어 헌법상의 권한을 흔드는 것이야말로 헌법을 뒤집는 일이고, 사전에 조율을 거쳐야만 제청할 수 있다면 그것은 제청권이 아니라 결재를 받으라는 것”이라고 주장했다.
그러면서 “관례를 그토록 중히 여긴다면 법제사법위원장부터 내놓으라”라며, “법사위원장은 야당이 맡는 것이 오랜 국회의 관례였으나 지난해 국민의힘이 돌려달라고 했을 때 서영교 위원장은 거부했다”고 꼬집었다. 아울러 “그때는 법조문을 들이대더니 지금은 헌법에도 없는 관례를 들이대는데, 자기들이 깨면 개혁이고 남이 다르게 하면 도전인가”라고 비꼬았다.
끝으로 김 원내수석대변인은 “대법원장을 국회로 불러 따져 묻겠다면, 운영위원회 국정감사에는 대통령이 나오라”며, “사법부 수장은 국회에 불러 세우고 행정부 수장은 예외라면 삼권분립이 아니라 힘의 논리일 뿐”이라고 경고했다. 이어 “대법관 공백을 걱정하는 것이 진심이라면 인사청문 절차부터 신속히 진행하는 것이 순리”라며, “제청을 받아 놓고 부결시키겠다는 말부터 꺼내는 것을 보면 걱정한 것은 공백이 아니라 자기 뜻대로 되지 않는 사법부였던 모양”이라고 목소리를 높였다.
기러기 가족 몇 집이면 지역이 살아납니까?
이어 김태규 원내수석대변인은 “수도권에 남아 있는 공공기관 350여 곳이 2차 지방이전 검토 대상에 올랐고 이르면 이달 말 윤곽이 나온다고 한다”며, “하지만 어떤 기준으로 어디에 보내는지는 아직 아무도 모른다”고 밝혔다.
김태규 원내수석대변인은 “알려진 것이라고는 '서울에 남는 것은 제로에 도전하라'는 대통령 지시뿐”이라며, “금융감독원과 산업은행, 수출입은행까지 대상에 올랐는데 금융회사 본점의 92%, 현장검사 대상의 88%가 수도권에 있다”고 지적했다. 또한 “감독할 회사도, 자금을 대야 할 기업도 전부 서울에 있는데 감독기관과 정책금융기관만 유배 보내겠다는 것”이라며, “인허가와 현장검사 때마다 직원들은 다시 서울로 역출장을 다녀야 하고, 그 비용은 결국 금융회사를 거쳐 대출금리와 수수료로 국민에게 돌아온다”고 경고했다.
이어 김 원내수석대변인은 “1차 이전이 이미 답을 보여줬다”며, “기혼 직원의 가족 동반 이주율은 60%에 그쳤고 경북과 충북은 40%에도 못 미쳤다”고 단언했다. 그러면서 “열 명 중 넷은 가족을 두고 혼자 내려갔다는 뜻으로, 10조 원이 넘게 들어갔지만 사람은 정착하지 못했고 주말이면 텅 비는 도시만 남았다”며, “그 검증을 건너뛴 채 이번에는 더 큰 규모로 밀어붙이겠다고 한다”고 꼬집었다.
아울러 김 원내수석대변인은 “정작 짐을 싸야 할 사람들은 자기 직장이 어디로 가는지도 모르고, 국책은행 노조는 결의대회를 열었으며 9월 총파업까지 예고했다”며, “민주당 김현정 의원마저 그 집회에 나가 노조와 함께하겠다고 했는데 여당 의원조차 등을 돌린 정책을 정부만 밀어붙이고 있다”고 지적했다. 이어 “선정 기준부터 공개하고, 기관이 제자리에서 제 역할을 하고 있는지 따지며, 가족과 떨어져 살아야 할 사람들에게 무엇을 해줄 것인지 답을 내놓은 뒤에 움직이라”고 강력히 촉구하며, “균형발전은 사람을 갈라놓고 얻는 것이 아니다”라고 전했다.
국민은 개헌 정치가 아니라 무너진 민생의 해법을 요구하고 있다.
마지막으로 김태규 원내수석대변인은 “이재명 대통령이 또다시 개헌론을 꺼내 들었다”며 원인과 대책에 대해 설명을 시작했다.
김태규 원내수석대변인은 “대통령 임기를 ‘4년 중임 또는 4년 연임제’로 바꾸고, 개헌을 위해 필요하다면 자신의 임기도 단축할 수 있다고 밝혔다”며, “그러나 정작 국민이 궁금해하는 핵심에는 답하지 않았다”고 비판했다. 또한 “중임제와 연임제 가운데 무엇을 추진하겠다는 것인지조차 불분명하며, 개헌 이후 본인은 다시 대통령 선거에 출마하지 않겠다는 명확한 입장도 밝히지 않았다”며, “진정 국가의 미래를 위한 개헌이라면 자신에게 유리한 개헌은 추진하지 않겠다고 선언하고 현직 대통령에게 적용되는 일은 없도록 하겠다고 약속하면 될 일”이라고 강조했다.
이어 김 원내수석대변인은 “개헌은 대통령의 정치적 속내를 감추기 위한 연막이 아니다”라며, “국가의 통치구조와 국민의 기본권을 규율하는 중대한 헌법적 과제를 대통령의 말 한마디로 띄우고 국민의 반응을 살피는 정치적 수단으로 활용해서는 안 된다”고 경고했다. 그러면서 “지금 대한민국이 마주한 현실은 엄중하여 집값과 생활물가는 치솟고 내수 침체와 고용 불안이 이어지면서 국민의 삶은 갈수록 팍팍해지고 있다”며, “국정의 모든 역량을 민생 회복과 경제 위기 극복에 집중해도 부족한 상황에서 대통령은 자신의 임기와 차기 권력구조를 둘러싼 논쟁을 앞장서 불러일으키고 있다”고 꼬집었다.
끝으로 김 원내수석대변인은 “이재명 대통령은 더 이상 개헌이라는 거대한 명분 뒤에 숨지 말라”며, “개헌이 진정 국가의 미래를 위한 것이라면 본인의 연임 가능성을 완전히 배제하고, 추진하려는 권력구조와 적용 시기부터 국민 앞에 명확히 밝히라”고 요구했다. 아울러 “그조차 솔직하게 말하지 못한다면 실체 없는 개헌론으로 국민의 시선을 돌릴 것이 아니라, 흔들리는 경제와 고단한 국민의 삶부터 제대로 챙기라”고 주문했다. 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>
Kim Tae-gyu, Chief Spokesperson for the People Power Party: “Stop nitpicking over impeachment and ignore public livelihoods with constitutional amendment proposals”
- Criticizes the Democratic Party for changing its stance on Supreme Court nominations: “Is it reform when they break it, but a challenge when others do it?”
- Urges the push for the second round of public institution relocation: “Balanced development that divides families… disclose the criteria first.”
- Regarding President Lee Jae-myung’s constitutional amendment proposals: “Stop hiding behind the smokescreen of shortening the term and take care of the people’s livelihoods on the brink.”
— Lee Je-hang, Senior Reporter/Poet, Break News
Kim Tae-gyu, Chief Floor Spokesperson for the People Power Party, criticized the Democratic Party’s nitpicking and monopolization of the Judiciary Committee chairmanship during a press briefing at the National Assembly Communication Center at 2 p.m. on the 19th.
In addition, he pointed out the confusion caused by the push for the second round of public institution relocation without clear criteria. He characterized President Lee Jae-myung’s proposals for shortening his term and constitutional amendment as a political smokescreen intended to evade the crisis in people’s livelihoods, and urged the government to focus its administrative capabilities on restoring the people’s livelihoods.
Is it dereliction of duty not to make a recommendation, but a challenge to the President once it is actually made?
First, Kim Tae-gyu, the chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, opened the discussion by noting that Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae recommended Son Bong-gi and Kim Seong-su for appointment as Supreme Court Justices yesterday.
"The Democratic Party, which had accused the delay of dereliction of duty and even brought up impeachment for delaying the recommendation for over five months, is now claiming that 'custom has been broken' and threatening to reject the nomination in the National Assembly now that the recommendation has actually been made," Kim pointed out. "The reason given is that the recommendation was sent in writing rather than in person to the President." He further criticized, "Is it dereliction of duty not to make a recommendation, but a challenge to the President's power of appointment if it is made?" He added, "If doing anything is grounds for impeachment, then it is not about finding fault with the wrongdoing, but rather picking on people who have already been chosen."
Chief Spokesperson Kim continued, “Article 104 of the Constitution stipulates that Supreme Court Justices are appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Chief Justice, and there is no provision anywhere in the Constitution requiring prior consultation with the Blue House.” He argued, “Invoking custom to undermine constitutional authority is, in fact, an act of overturning the Constitution. If a recommendation can only be made after prior coordination, that is not a right to recommend, but a demand for approval.”
He added, “If you value custom so highly, you should hand over the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee first.” He pointed out, “It has long been parliamentary custom for the opposition party to hold the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, but when the People Power Party asked to return it last year, Chairwoman Seo Young-kyo refused.” Furthermore, he sarcastically remarked, “You cited legal provisions back then, but now you are citing custom that is not even in the Constitution. Is it reform when you break it, but a challenge when others do it differently?”
Finally, Chief Spokesperson Kim warned, “If you intend to summon the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to the National Assembly to question him, then the President should attend the National Assembly audit of the Steering Committee.” He added, “If the head of the judiciary is summoned to the National Assembly while the head of the executive branch is an exception, it is not the separation of powers, but merely the logic of power.” He continued, “If you are genuinely concerned about the vacancy of Supreme Court Justices, the proper course of action is to proceed with the confirmation hearing process swiftly first.” He raised his voice, stating, “Seeing that they accept the nomination and then immediately bring up the possibility of rejecting it, it seems their concern was not the vacancy itself, but a judiciary that did not go according to their will.”
How many ‘goose families’ (where one parent lives abroad while the other stays in Korea) are needed to revitalize a region?
Chief Spokesperson Kim Tae-gyu continued, “About 350 public institutions remaining in the Seoul metropolitan area have been placed on the list for review regarding the second phase of relocation to provincial areas, and it is said that the outline will emerge as early as the end of this month.” He noted, “However, no one knows yet what criteria will be used to determine where they will be sent.”
** Kim Tae-gyu, the chief spokesperson for the ruling party, stated, "The only known fact is the President's directive to 'challenge zero for what remains in Seoul.'" He pointed out, "The Financial Supervisory Service, the Korea Development Bank, and the Export-Import Bank of Korea have all been targeted, yet 92% of financial company headquarters and 88% of those subject to on-site inspections are located in the Seoul metropolitan area." He further warned, "The companies to be supervised and the enterprises to which funding must be provided are all in Seoul, yet this amounts to banishing only the supervisory agencies and policy financial institutions." He added, "Employees will have to make business trips back to Seoul for every licensing and on-site inspection, and these costs will ultimately be passed on to the public through financial companies in the form of loan interest rates and fees."
Kim continued by asserting, "The first relocation has already shown the answer," noting, "The rate of married employees relocating with their families was only 60%, and in North Gyeongsang and North Chungcheong provinces, it fell short of even 40%." He then pointed out, “This implies that four out of ten people left their families behind and went down alone; despite the investment of over 10 trillion won, people failed to settle, leaving only empty cities on weekends,” adding, “They say they will push ahead with an even larger scale this time, skipping that verification process.”
Furthermore, Chief Spokesperson Kim noted, “The very people who need to pack their bags don’t even know where their workplaces are going, while the state-run bank unions have held rallies and even threatened a general strike in September.” He pointed out, “Even Democratic Party Representative Kim Hyun-jung attended the rally and pledged to stand with the union, yet the government is pushing ahead with a policy that even ruling party lawmakers have turned their backs on.” He continued to strongly urge, “Disclose the selection criteria first, scrutinize whether the institutions are fulfilling their roles in their designated areas, and provide answers on what will be done for those who must live separated from their families before taking action,” adding, “Balanced development is not achieved by dividing people.”
The public is demanding solutions for the collapsed livelihoods of the people, not politics of constitutional amendment.
Finally, Chief Spokesperson Kim Tae-gyu began his explanation regarding the causes and countermeasures, stating, “President Lee Jae-myung has once again brought up the issue of constitutional amendment.”
Chief Spokesperson Kim criticized, “He stated that he would change the presidential term to a ‘four-year renewable or four-year consecutive term’ system and that he could even shorten his own term if necessary for the constitutional amendment,” adding, “However, he failed to answer the core questions that the public is truly curious about.” He further emphasized, “It is unclear even which system he intends to pursue between the renewable and consecutive terms, and he has not stated a clear position that he will not run for president again after the amendment.” He continued, “If it is truly a constitutional amendment for the future of the nation, he simply needs to declare that he will not pursue an amendment favorable to himself and promise that it will not apply to the incumbent president.”
Finally, Chief Spokesperson Kim Tae-gyu began his explanation regarding the causes and countermeasures, noting that “President Lee Jae-myung has once again brought up the issue of constitutional amendment.” Chief Spokesperson Kim continued by warning, “Constitutional amendment is not a smokescreen to conceal the President’s ulterior motives,” adding, “A critical constitutional task regulating the nation’s governance structure and the people’s fundamental rights must not be used as a political tool to boost public opinion with a single remark from the President and gauge public reaction.” He further pointed out, “The reality currently facing South Korea is grave; housing prices and the cost of living are soaring, and with stagnant domestic demand and job insecurity persisting, the lives of the people are becoming increasingly difficult.” He criticized the President, stating, “In a situation where even concentrating all national capabilities on restoring people’s livelihoods and overcoming the economic crisis would be insufficient, the President is taking the lead in inciting controversy surrounding his term and the next power structure.”
Finally, Chief Spokesperson Kim demanded, “President Lee Jae-myung should no longer hide behind the grand justification of constitutional amendment,” adding, “If the amendment is truly for the nation’s future, he must completely rule out the possibility of his own re-election and clearly disclose to the public the power structure he intends to pursue and the timing of its implementation.” In addition, he urged, “If you cannot even speak honestly about that, do not divert the public’s attention with baseless arguments for constitutional amendment; instead, properly take care of the shaky economy and the weary lives of the people first.” hang5247@hanmail.net
