PPP Slams Choo Mi-ae's 'Since You Want an Apology' Remark as "Arrogant to the End"

▲ People Power Party Chief Spokesperson Park SUNGHOON

The People Power Party criticized Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae of the Democratic Party over her apology for her "fiscal straw of firefighting" remark, assessing that she was "arrogant until the very end."

In a commentary on Saturday afternoon (October 17), People Power Party Chief Spokesperson Park SUNGHOON downplayed Governor Choo's apology, saying, "I cannot hide my dismay at the sight of her putting her own grievances ahead of her wrongdoing even at the memorial altar of a firefighter who died in the line of duty."

After paying her respects in person at the memorial altar of the fallen firefighter on Saturday afternoon, Governor Choo responded to reporters asking about her intention to apologize, saying, "Since you want an apology, I apologize with all my heart."

Chief Spokesperson Park remarked, "It was a statement that makes one doubt one's ears," pointing out that "she invited criticism that it was not an apology acknowledging wrongdoing, but a reluctant one blurted out only after being pushed."

He continued, "What was even more shocking was the lengthy self-justification poured out right after the apology," emphasizing that "the memorial altar of a fallen firefighter is not a civil petitions office to resolve Governor Choo's grievances."

Earlier on October 13, Governor Choo said during a parliamentary audit by the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee while explaining local government finances, "Firefighting seems to be the biggest and most troublesome fiscal straw."

Chief Spokesperson Park also argued, "If she was busy defending herself even in front of the portrait of the deceased, that is not an apology, but another act of disrespect."

He added, "What the public demanded was not a political performance pretending to apologize, but sincere remorse."

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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