Amid the lingering fallout over Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae's remark calling firefighting a "financial straw," controversy is mounting as it was revealed that Gyeonggi Province actually slashed a massive amount of its firefighting budget.
Gyeonggi Province was found to have cut 2.65 billion won from the budget for replacing aging fire engines in a supplementary budget bill submitted to the provincial council in August.
In addition, the provincial government reduced a total of 3.45 billion won in firefighting funds, including 700 million won for reinforcing specialized ambulance and rescue equipment and 100 million won for memorial events for fallen firefighters.
During a parliamentary audit by the National Assembly on October 13, Governor Choo sparked strong backlash after referring to firefighting services as "the biggest, most troublesome financial straw."
As controversy widened, Governor Choo explained, "It was a mistake made while trying to explain financial challenges regarding improving the treatment of firefighters."
However, as it came to light that Gyeonggi Province cut billions of won from budgets for replacing and upgrading aging equipment directly tied to the safety of on-site firefighters, criticism has emerged calling it "contradictory administration."
The controversy is also spreading across both the ruling and opposition parties.
Taking aim at Governor Choo today (October 19), People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok pointed out, "She slashed 2.65 billion won in budget—an amount that could purchase 25 fire trucks—while buying a new official car for herself despite having a perfectly functional vehicle," adding, "The jeonse deposit alone for the 48-pyeong apartment she moved into as her official residence amounts to 1.2 billion won."
He then sharply criticized her, saying, "Governor Choo herself is the real financial straw."
Calls for disciplinary action against Governor Choo are also emerging from within the Democratic Party.
Asked about the party's stance and direction regarding Governor Choo on the party's official YouTube channel today, Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok hinted that disciplinary discussions would not begin immediately, stating, "Right now, above all, the priority is to understand the public's sentiment and make every effort until the public feels appeased."
Reported by Lee Hyeon-yeong | Video by Kim Kihyun | Graphics by Lee Jeong-ju | Produced by SBS Digital News
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