▲ 장동혁 국민의힘 대표  © 배종태 기자

[브레이크뉴스=배종태 기자] 이재명 대통령이 대한상공회의소(대한상의)의 상속세 관련 보도자료를 두고 “고의적 가짜뉴스”라고 비판한 가운데, 대한상의가 즉각 사과했음에도 대통령이 강한 대응을 이어가고 있다.  

장동혁 국민의힘 대표는 자신의 사회관계망서비스(SNS)를 통해 “이 대통령이 장관들을 앞세워 죽일 듯이 공격하고 있다”며 “과거 본인이 퍼뜨린 가짜뉴스부터 돌아봐야 한다”고 지적했다.  

장 대표는 “이 대통령은 과거 ‘천안함 잠수함 충돌설’을 비롯해 ‘사드 전자파’, ‘후쿠시마 오염수’ 문제 등 수많은 가짜뉴스로 국민을 선동해왔다”며 “얼마나 말을 자주 바꿨는지 ‘이재명의 적은 어제의 이재명’이라는 말까지 나왔다”고 말했다.  

그는 또한 “대한상의가 인용한 통계에 오류가 있었더라도 상속세 과세 부담이 과중하다는 지적은 오래전부터 제기돼왔다”며 “이 대통령 역시 대선 당시 상속세 개편을 공약했으나 지금껏 지키지 않고 있다”고 덧붙였다.  

장 대표는 마무리하며 “달을 가리키면 달을 봐야지 손가락을 보면 안 된다”며 “가짜뉴스라며 격노하기보다 문제의 핵심을 살펴야 한다”고 강조했다.  

[Here're an English version of  the article] President Lee Criticized for ‘Fake News’ Attack on Business Group, as Rival Points to His Past

President Lee Jae-myung’s sharp condemnation of a recent report from South Korea’s largest business lobby as “deliberate fake news” has drawn a swift backlash from the opposition, with one prominent figure urging him to reflect first on his own history of promoting disputed claims.

The clash erupted over a Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry news release that highlighted concerns about inheritance tax burdens, citing statistics that Mr. Lee deemed intentionally misleading. Even after the chamber issued a prompt apology, the president pressed his criticism, prompting a pointed retort from Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the conservative People Power Party.

In a social media post, Mr. Jang accused Mr. Lee of unleashing cabinet ministers in a fierce offensive against the group. “Before attacking others, he should look back at the fake news he has spread himself,” Mr. Jang wrote.

Mr. Jang listed several examples from Mr. Lee’s past: support for the theory that the 2010 Cheonan warship sinking involved a submarine collision, warnings about electromagnetic waves from the Thaad missile defense system, and alarms over Fukushima’s treated wastewater. “He has flipped positions so often that people say, ‘Lee Jae-myung’s enemy is yesterday’s Lee Jae-myung,’” Mr. Jang added.

Even if the chamber’s cited data contained errors, Mr. Jang argued, the underlying issue of heavy inheritance tax pressures has long been a point of contention among businesses and policymakers. He noted that Mr. Lee himself pledged inheritance tax reform during his presidential campaign but has yet to act on it.

Mr. Jang concluded with a traditional Korean saying: When someone points at the moon, focus on the moon, not the finger. “Instead of raging over ‘fake news,’ the president should address the real problem at the core.”