[사건의내막 / 문홍철 기자] = 김민석 국무총리는 "정부는 석유 최고가격제의 긍정적 효과와 여러 가지 의견들을 충분하게 신중하게 고려해 4차 시행 여부를 결정하겠다"고 22일 밝혔다.
국무조정실은 22일 김민석 국무총리 주재로 정부서울청사에서 재정경제부 등 관계부처 장관이 참석한 가운데 제9차 비상경제본부 회의를 열어 해외상황 관리, 거시경제·물가, 에너지 수급, 금융안정, 민생복지 반별 대응상황을 점검했다고 밝혔다.
김 총리는 "4차 석유 최고가격제와 관련해 물가 폭등 방지, 소비위축 완화, 유가 민감 계층 충격완화 등 긍정적 효과가 확인되었다"고 평가하고 "그동안의 긍정적 효과와 여러 의견을 신중하게 검토해 4차 시행 여부를 결정하겠다"고 밝혔다.
이어서 김 총리는 "중동 전쟁 장기화로 중소기업과 취약계층이 가장 큰 피해를 보고 있어 추경이 실질적인 도움이 될 수 있도록 적극 소통하고 지원방안을 강구하겠다"고 덧붙였다.
또한, 중동 전쟁 장기화에 따른 피해상황을 챙기면서 "코로나19 위기처럼 이번 위기를 계기로 공급망 다변화, 에너지 전환, 순환경제 확대 등 화석연료 의존 경제 탈피와 변화·혁신을 추진하기 위한 과제를 적극 발굴해 달라"고 주문했다.
이어서, 각 실무대응반은 주요 업무 추진상황을 보고하고 향후 계획을 논의했다.
해외상황관리반은 급변하는 중동 정세와 호르무즈 해협 동향에 대해 보고하고 에너지 수급의 안정화를 위한 외교적 노력과 재외공관을 통한 현지 대응 점검 현황을 공유했다. 관계기관 간 긴밀한 공조로 우리 원유운반선의 안전한 통항을 계속 지원해 나가기로 했다.
거시경제·물가대응반은 비상경제 대응체계를 유지하면서 기존 계획된 조치들을 차질 없이 추진하고 보완해 나가고 있다고 밝혔다. 시장교란 행위에 대해서는 현장점검을 강화하고 엄단하는 한편, 공급망·물가와 관련한 현장애로를 수렴해 신속히 조치해 나가기로 했다.
에너지수급반은 나프타, 석화제품, 원유의 수급 상황과 석유제품의 가격 동향을 점검하고, 대응 방안을 보고했다.
특히, 석화제품은 보건의료 분야와 조선 등 핵심 산업, 생활필수품 등 생산에 우선 공급 중이며, 3차 석유 최고가격제가 23일 종료돼 4차 최고가격제의 시행 여부와 수준은 국제유가, 석유 소비량, 민생 부담 등을 종합 고려해 결정하기로 했다.
금융안정반은 국내 증시가 중동상황 이전 수준을 회복했으나, 불확실성이 상존해 비상대응 체계를 빈틈없이 유지하고 있다고 보고했다.
또 차량 5부제 참여 때 자동차보험료 할인 혜택을 제공하는 특약을 다음 달 신설하고, 석화업계의 원활한 나프타 수입 지원을 위한 금융권 공동 지원체계를 구축해 나가기로 했다.
민생복지반은 취약계층 보호 및 민생안정 지원, 의약품·의료제품 수급대응 방안을 논의했다. 추경 예산에 대한 상반기 신속 집행에 힘을 모으면서 사회복지시설 등 취약계층 지원시설에 대한 현장점검 결과를 토대로 애로사항 해소를 위한 노력을 이어가기로 했다.
주사기·주사침 매점매석 고시 시행 이후 유통 현장에 대한 특별 단속도 지속하기로 했다.
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*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.>
Prime Minister Kim Min-suk: "Positive Effects of Oil Price Cap... Careful Decision on 4th Implementation"
Special Clause for Car Insurance Premium Discounts for Participation in Five-Day Driving System to be Established Next Month
Joint Financial Sector Support System to be Built for Naphtha Import Support
[Inside Story / Reporter Moon Hong-cheol] = Prime Minister Kim Min-suk announced on the 22nd, "The government will decide whether to implement the oil price cap for the fourth time after thoroughly and carefully considering the positive effects of the system and various opinions."
The Office for Government Policy Coordination announced that on the 22nd, the 9th Emergency Economic Headquarters meeting was held at the Government Complex Seoul, presided over by Prime Minister Kim Min-suk and attended by ministers from relevant ministries including the Ministry of Finance and Economy. During the meeting, they reviewed the response status by division regarding overseas situation management, macroeconomics and prices, energy supply and demand, financial stability, and public welfare. Prime Minister Kim assessed that "positive effects regarding the fourth oil price cap have been confirmed, such as preventing price surges, mitigating consumption contraction, and alleviating the impact on oil-price-sensitive groups." He stated, "We will carefully review the positive effects observed so far and various opinions to decide whether to implement the measure for the fourth time."
He added, "As small and medium-sized enterprises and vulnerable groups are suffering the greatest damage due to the prolonged war in the Middle East, we will actively communicate and devise support measures to ensure the supplementary budget provides tangible assistance."
Furthermore, while monitoring the damage caused by the prolonged Middle East war, he ordered, "Just as with the COVID-19 crisis, please actively identify tasks to promote change and innovation and break away from a fossil fuel-dependent economy by using this crisis as an opportunity for supply chain diversification, energy transition, and the expansion of the circular economy."
Subsequently, each working-level response team reported on the progress of their key tasks and discussed future plans.
The Overseas Situation Management Team reported on the rapidly changing situation in the Middle East and developments in the Strait of Hormuz, and shared the status of diplomatic efforts to stabilize energy supply and demand, as well as the inspection of local responses through overseas diplomatic missions. It was decided to continue supporting the safe passage of our crude oil tankers through close coordination among relevant agencies.
The Macroeconomic and Price Response Team stated that it is maintaining the emergency economic response system while ensuring the smooth implementation and supplementation of existing planned measures. It decided to strengthen on-site inspections and strictly crack down on market disruption activities, while also collecting and promptly addressing on-site difficulties related to supply chains and prices.
The Energy Supply and Demand Team reviewed the supply and demand status of naphtha, petrochemical products, and crude oil, as well as price trends for petroleum products, and reported on response measures.
In particular, petrochemical products are being prioritized for supply to the healthcare sector, key industries such as shipbuilding, and the production of daily necessities. With the third petroleum price cap set to expire on the 23rd, it was decided that the implementation and level of the fourth price cap would be determined by comprehensively considering international oil prices, petroleum consumption, and the burden on the public.
The Financial Stability Task Force reported that while the domestic stock market has recovered to pre-Middle East levels, uncertainty persists, and the emergency response system is being maintained without any loopholes.
Additionally, it was decided to introduce a special clause next month offering discounts on automobile insurance premiums for participation in the five-day vehicle restriction system, and to establish a joint support system within the financial sector to facilitate naphtha imports for the petrochemical industry.
The Public Welfare Task Force discussed measures to protect vulnerable groups, support livelihood stability, and address the supply and demand of pharmaceuticals and medical products. While concentrating efforts on the rapid execution of the supplementary budget for the first half of the year, it was decided to continue efforts to resolve difficulties based on the results of on-site inspections of support facilities for vulnerable groups, such as social welfare facilities. It was also decided to continue special crackdowns on distribution sites following the implementation of the notice on hoarding of syringes and needles.
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