▲ Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae answers lawmakers' questions during a parliamentary audit of Gyeonggi Province by the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government complex in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on October 19.
Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae, who sparked controversy over her remarks about "firefighting financial straws" and her subsequent manner of apologizing, issued a fresh apology to firefighters during a parliamentary audit on October 19.
During her opening remarks at the audit conducted by the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, Governor Choo stated, "I sincerely apologize to all the firefighters whose hearts were hurt by my recent remarks."
She added, "I take the dedication of firefighters more seriously than anyone else. I will look even more closely after the safety and working conditions of firefighters," and "I will also humbly listen to the advice given by committee members during today's parliamentary audit."
"I have just returned from bidding farewell on the final journey of the late firefighter Kim Jin-seok [who died in the line of duty during a factory fire in Bucheon]," she said. "My heart is truly heavy. I once again express my deepest condolences and comfort to the bereaved family and the firefighting community."
Previously, during a parliamentary audit of Gyeonggi Province by the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee on October 13, Governor Choo sparked controversy by mentioning local government financial issues and budgets related to national firefighting public officials, saying, "Firefighting seems like the most troublesome financial straw."
On October 17, she visited the mortuary for the late Fire Inspector Kim Jin-seok, who died in the line of duty in a factory fire in Bucheon, to pay her respects. She stirred further controversy by stating, "If my intentions were conveyed differently, I express deep regret, and since you wish for an apology, I apologize with all my heart."
However, the expression "since you wish for an apology" used at the time drew criticism over her approach to apologizing.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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