 ▲ 최은석 국민의힘 원내수석대변인이 국회소통관에서 언론 브리핑을 통해 현안에 대한 논평을 이어가고 있다. © 이제항 선임기자 |
브레이크뉴스 이제항 선임기자/시인 = 최은석 국민의힘 원내수석대변인은 2일 논평을 내고 김용범 정책실장 사퇴와 관련한 정책 실패 책임 규명과 106조원 규모의 국가채무 증가가 예상되는 예산안의 철회를 요구했다.
또 식약처 로비 의혹이 제기된 김승원 법무부 장관 후보자의 사퇴와 대통령의 이른바 ‘재판 지우기’ 시도 중단도 촉구했다.
최 대변인은 이재명 정부의 국정 운영에 문제가 있다고 주장하며 정부의 정책과 인사 등에 대한 비판을 이어갔다.
김용범은 물러났지만, “국민의 심판은 이제부터다!”
먼저, 최은석 원내수석대변인은 김용범 청와대 정책실장의 뒤늦은 사퇴에 대해 국정 실패의 책임이 결코 유야무야될 수 없음을 분명히 지적했다.
최은석 원내수석대변인은 “말도 많고 탈도 많았던 김용범 청와대 정책실장이 결국 자리에서 물러났다”며, “책임져야 할 사람을 남겨둔 개각이라는 비판 끝에 나온 늦어도 한참 늦은 퇴장”이라고 비판했다.
또한, “김 실장은 대외적으로 대미 투자 협상을 난항에 빠뜨렸고, 대내적으로는 부동산 정책 실패와 단일종목 레버리지 ETF발 금융시장 대참사를 초래했다”며, “국민 자산을 위협하고 시장 신뢰를 크게 훼손한 과오를 돌아봐야 한다”고 강조했다.
이어, “김 실장 한 사람 물러났다고 정책 실패의 책임까지 함께 사라지는 것은 아니다”라며, “서울 집값이 치솟는데 집값 폭락을 걱정하는 대통령의 현실감각은 제로에 가깝다”고 주장했다.
그러면서 “수십조 원의 국민 자산이 증발한 단일종목 레버리지 ETF 사태는 반드시 진상을 규명해야 할 중차대한 국정조사 대상”이라며, “이억원 금융위원장과 이찬진 금융감독원장 역시 함께 경질하고 철저한 조사를 받아야 한다”고 꼬집었다.
아울러, “김 실장이 내놓은 것은 ‘3고는 성공의 비용’, ‘AI 초과이익 국민 배당’ 같은 현실과 동떨어진 ‘괴짜 경제학’이었다며, “후임 정책실장마저 이념과 아마추어적 판단에 기대는 인물이 온다면 실패를 반복할 뿐”이라고 목소리를 높였다.
“세수 풍년인데 나랏빚은 106조 더 늘리겠다는 이재명 정부”
이어 최은석 원내수석대변인은 이재명 정부가 발표한 내년도 슈퍼 팽창 예산안의 재정 건전성 훼손 문제를 날카롭게 지적했다.
최은석 원내수석대변인은 “이재명 정부가 내년도 예산안을 올해보다 93조 원 늘어난 821조 원 규모로 편성했다”며, “반도체 호황 등으로 내년 총수입이 205조 원 넘게 늘어나는 세수 풍년임에도 나랏빚을 106조 원이나 더 늘리려 한다”고 비판했다.
또한, “세금이 잘 걷히는 호황기에도 나랏빚을 줄이기는커녕 사상 처음으로 국가채무 1,500조 원을 넘기겠다는 것”이라며, “도대체 나랏빚은 언제 줄이겠다는 것인지 묻지 않을 수 없다”고 경고했다.
이어, “정부는 ‘생산적 선순환’을 주장하지만 실상 보건·복지·고용 등 복지·행정 지출이 63조 원 급증하는 반면 R&D·산업·SOC 증가분은 14조 6천억 원에 불과하다”며, “선심성 지출 구조만 비대하게 만들어 놓는 꼴”이라고 주장했다.
그러면서 “한 번 늘어난 예산은 다시 줄이기 어렵고, 반도체 호황이 끝난 뒤 남는 것은 불어난 나랏빚과 미래세대의 세금 부담뿐”이라며, “호황기에 빚을 줄여 불황에 대비하는 것이 상식적인 국가 살림”이라고 꼬집었다.
아울러, “세수 초호황기에 씀씀이는 최대폭으로 늘리고 국가채무를 사상 최대치로 불리는 역행을 멈춰야 한다”며, “정부는 무책임한 확장 재정 기조를 즉각 재검토하라”고 촉구했다.
“'대통령 재판 지우기'를 앞세워 제 혐의까지 지우려는가, 김승원 후보자는 당장 사퇴하라!”
또한, 최은석 원내수석대변인은 식약처 로비 의혹을 받는 김승원 법무부 장관 후보자의 자격 미달을 지적하며 사퇴를 요구했다.
최은석 원내수석대변인은 “김승원 법무부 장관 후보자가 청문회를 앞두고 서영교 법사위원장에게 의혹 관련 요약 문자를 보낸 사실이 드러났다”며, “자신의 의혹을 법사위원장의 ‘철통 방어’로 돌파하려는 몰염치한 태도”라고 비판했다.
또한, “김 후보자는 특정 제약사 코로나19 치료제 임상시험 관련 알선뇌물약속 혐의 등으로 수사를 받고 2024년 12월 기소유예 처분을 받은 인물”이라며, “기소유예는 무혐의나 무죄가 아님에도 국민 앞에 해명조차 없이 장관직에 연연하고 있다”고 지적했다.
이어, “이 정도 사안이라면 인사검증 단계에서 걸러졌어야 마땅하다”며, “이재명 대통령의 공소취소를 앞장서 추진할 ‘돌격대장’ 역할이 필요해 이런 함량 미달 인사를 밀어붙이는가”라고 반문했다.
그러면서 “대통령의 ‘재판 지우기’ 특명을 수행하면서 내친김에 자신을 둘러싼 혐의까지 함께 지워보겠다는 속셈”이라며, “민주당이 김의겸 의원까지 법사위 간사로 지명하며 법사위를 ‘방탄 상임위’로 전락시키려 한다”고 꼬집었다.
아울러, “김 후보자는 더 이상 스스로의 명예를 깎아내리지 말고 지금 당장 후보자직에서 사퇴하라”며, “국민의힘은 대한민국 법치 근간을 흔드는 어떠한 시도도 국민과 함께 끝까지 막아낼 것”이라고 전했다.
“조국마저 등 돌렸다, 이재명 대통령의 고립”
마지막으로 최은석 원내수석대변인은 우방 세력마저 외면하기 시작한 이재명 대통령의 사법 리스크와 국정 고립 실태를 경고했다.
최은석 원내수석대변인은 “조국 전 조국혁신당 대표마저 이재명 대통령의 공직선거법 위반 사건 2심 유죄 가능성을 언급하며 공소취소 추진에 분명한 선을 그었다”면서, “우군으로 여겼던 조국혁신당조차 대통령의 ‘재판 지우기’에 제동을 걸기 시작했다”고 밝혔다.
또한, “정책 실패로 중도층을 잃은 데 이어 우군마저 등을 돌리며 이재명 대통령의 국정 고립이 심화되고 있다”며, “정치공학적 지지층 묶어두기 전략의 한계가 고스란히 드러난 것”이라고 비판했다.
이어, “유시민 작가와 김어준 씨 등 친여권 성향 인사들조차 정부를 향해 날을 세우거나 지지율 반등이 어려울 것이라는 전망을 내놓고 있다”며, “중도는 떠나고 우군마저 외면하는 총체적 위기 상황”이라고 주장했다.
그러면서 “상황이 이런데도 민주당은 공소취소, 개헌, 배임죄 폐지 등 수단만 바꿔가며 재판 지우기에만 집착하고 있다”며, “재판을 지우려다 남아있는 민심까지 지우는 우를 범하지 말라”고 꼬집었다.
아울러, “지금 대통령에게 필요한 것은 재판 지우기가 아니라 30%대로 추락한 민심을 붙잡는 일”이라며, “대통령 한 사람의 사법 리스크를 덮기 위한 국정 낭비를 즉각 중단하라”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>
Choi Eun-seok, Senior Spokesperson for the People Power Party, Condemns “Lee Jae-myung Administration’s Total Mismanagement of State Affairs”
- Responsibility for policy failures remains despite Kim Yong-bum’s resignation… Demands for a parliamentary investigation into issues such as the leveraged ETF scandal
- National debt increased by 106 trillion won despite tax revenue boom… Strong criticism of the expansionary budget surpassing 1,500 trillion won
- Urges the immediate resignation of Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won, pointing out controversies regarding ‘KFDA lobbying and suspension of indictment’
- President’s judicial risks turned away even by allies… Demands to stop obsession with ‘erasing trials’ and restore public trust
— Lee Je-hang, Senior Reporter/Poet, Break News
Senior Spokesperson Choi Eun-seok strongly demanded: ▲ clarification of responsibility for policy failures following the resignation of Policy Chief Kim Yong-bum; ▲ withdrawal of the expansionary budget plan that increased national debt by 106 trillion won despite a bumper tax revenue season; ▲ the immediate resignation of Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won, who is suspected of lobbying the KFDA; and ▲ a halt to the President’s attempts to ‘erase trials,’ which have turned even his allies against him.
Choi Eun-seok, the Chief Spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated this through four commentaries on September 2, launching a strong criticism of the Lee Jae-myung administration's overall disarray in state affairs management.
Kim Yong-bum has stepped down, but “the people’s judgment begins now!”
First, Chief Spokesperson Choi Eun-seok clearly pointed out that the responsibility for the failure of state affairs cannot be swept under the rug following the belated resignation of Kim Yong-bum, the Chief of the Presidential Policy Office.
Chief Spokesperson Choi criticized, “Kim Yong-bum, the Chief of the Presidential Policy Office who was the subject of much talk and trouble, has finally stepped down from his position,” adding, “It is a departure that is far too late, coming after criticism that the cabinet reshuffle left those who should have been held accountable behind.” Furthermore, he emphasized, “Externally, Chief of Staff Kim caused investment negotiations with the U.S. to hit a snag, while domestically, he brought about the failure of real estate policies and the financial market catastrophe triggered by single-stock leveraged ETFs,” adding, “He must reflect on the mistakes that threatened public assets and severely damaged market confidence.”
He continued, “The fact that Chief of Staff Kim has stepped down does not mean that the responsibility for policy failures disappears along with it,” and argued, “The President’s sense of reality is close to zero, as he worries about a housing price crash while Seoul’s prices are skyrocketing.”
He then pointed out, “The single-stock leveraged ETF scandal, in which tens of trillions of won in public assets evaporated, is a critical subject for a parliamentary investigation that must uncover the truth,” and criticized, “Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Won-geon and Financial Supervisory Service Governor Lee Chan-jin must also be dismissed and subjected to a thorough investigation.”
Furthermore, raising his voice, he stated, “What Chief Kim put forward was ‘eccentric economics’ detached from reality, such as ‘the three highs are the cost of success’ and ‘dividends on AI excess profits for the people.’ If the successor to the Policy Chief is someone who relies on ideology and amateurish judgment, it will only lead to a repetition of failures.”
“The Lee Jae-myung Administration Plans to Increase National Debt by 106 Trillion Won Despite a Tax Revenue Boom”
Following this, Chief Spokesperson Choi Eun-seok sharply pointed out the issue of fiscal soundness being undermined by the super-expansionary budget plan for next year announced by the Lee Jae-myung administration.
Chief Spokesperson Choi Eun-seok criticized, “The Lee Jae-myung administration has drawn up a budget of 821 trillion won for next year, an increase of 93 trillion won compared to this year,” adding, “Despite a tax revenue boom where total revenue is expected to increase by over 205 trillion won next year due to the semiconductor boom, they are attempting to increase the national debt by as much as 106 trillion won.”
In addition, “Even during a boom period when taxes are collected well, the national debt. "Far from reducing it, they intend to surpass 1,500 trillion won in national debt for the first time in history," he warned, adding, "I cannot help but ask when on earth they plan to reduce the national debt."
He continued, "The government claims a 'productive virtuous cycle,' but in reality, while welfare and administrative spending—including health, welfare, and employment—is surging by 63 trillion won, the increase in R&D, industry, and SOC is merely 14.6 trillion won," arguing that "this amounts to merely creating an oversized structure for populist spending."
He further pointed out, "Once a budget is increased, it is difficult to reduce it again, and after the semiconductor boom ends, all that remains is inflated national debt and a tax burden on future generations," criticizing that "it is common sense for national finances to reduce debt during a boom to prepare for a recession."
In addition, he stated, "They must stop the regressive behavior of increasing spending to the maximum during a super-boom in tax revenue while driving the national debt to an all-time high," adding, "The government is pursuing irresponsible expansionary fiscal policies." “Immediately re-examine the stance,” they urged.
“Are you trying to erase your own charges by putting the ‘erasing of the President’s trial’ first? Candidate Kim Seung-won must resign immediately!”
In addition, Chief Floor Spokesperson Choi Eun-seok pointed out the lack of qualifications of Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won, who is under suspicion of lobbying the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and demanded his resignation.
Chief Floor Spokesperson Choi Eun-seok stated, “It has been revealed that Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won sent a text message summarizing the allegations to Seo Young-kyo, Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee, ahead of the confirmation hearing,” criticizing it as “a shameless attitude attempting to overcome his suspicions through the Chairperson’s ‘ironclad defense.’”
He further pointed out, “Nominee Kim is a figure who received a suspended indictment in December 2024 after being investigated on charges of promising bribes for brokering clinical trials for a specific pharmaceutical company’s COVID-19 treatment,” adding, “Despite the fact that a suspended indictment does not mean a finding of no wrongdoing or acquittal, he is clinging to the ministerial position without even offering an explanation to the public.”
He continued, “Given the gravity of the matter, he should have been filtered out during the personnel vetting stage,” and [mentioned] “the ‘shock troop commander’ who will spearhead the withdrawal of charges against President Lee Jae-myung.” "Is he pushing through such an unqualified nominee because he needs a role?" he retorted.
He continued by pointing out, "His ulterior motive is to carry out the President's special order to 'erase the trial,' and while he's at it, try to erase the charges surrounding him as well." He criticized, "The Democratic Party is attempting to turn the Judiciary Committee into a 'shielding committee' by even nominating Rep. Kim Eui-kyeom as the committee's secretary."
Furthermore, he stated, "Candidate Kim should stop tarnishing his own reputation and resign from his candidacy immediately," adding, "The People Power Party will stand with the people and block to the very end any attempt to shake the foundation of the rule of law in the Republic of Korea."
"Even Cho Kuk Has Turned His Back: President Lee Jae-myung's Isolation"
Finally, Chief Spokesperson Choi Eun-seok warned of the reality of President Lee Jae-myung's legal risks and his isolation in state affairs, noting that even allied forces have begun to turn their backs on him.
Chief Spokesperson Choi Eun-seok stated, "Even former Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, [regarding] President Lee Jae-myung's Public Official Election Act..." "He drew a clear line on pushing for the withdrawal of charges by mentioning the possibility of a guilty verdict in the second trial of the violation case," the statement said, adding, "Even the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, which was considered an ally, has started to put the brakes on the President's 'erasing of the trial.'"
Furthermore, the statement criticized, "Following the loss of the centrist base due to policy failures, President Lee Jae-myung's isolation in state affairs is deepening as even allies are turning their backs," noting that "the limitations of the political engineering strategy to keep the support base tied down have been fully exposed."
The statement continued, "Even pro-ruling party figures such as writer Rhyu Si-min and Kim Ou-joon are taking a confrontational stance against the government or predicting that a rebound in approval ratings will be difficult," arguing that it is "a total crisis situation where centrists have left and even allies are turning their backs."
The statement concluded by saying, "Despite this situation, the Democratic Party remains obsessed with erasing the trial, merely changing the means—such as withdrawing charges, amending the constitution, and abolishing the crime of breach of trust," and urged, "Do not make the mistake of erasing the remaining public sentiment while trying to erase the trial." He pointed out the issue.
In addition, stating, “What the President needs right now is not to erase the trial, but to win back public support that has plummeted to the 30% range,” he demanded, “Immediately stop the waste of state affairs aimed at covering up the President’s judicial risks.” hang5247@hanmail.net
