[Anchor]
Following Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae's remark comparing the firefighting budget to a "straw," a string of inappropriate statements has continued within the Democratic Party, leading to official apologies day after day. The party leadership apologized again today (October 20), stating, "Public anger is growing due to consecutive verbal gaffes." The party even sent an official notice to provincial and municipal chapters nationwide, urging members to watch their words and actions.
Kim Kwan-jin reports.
[Reporter]
Just two months ago, the Democratic Party held its first general meeting of lawmakers right after Party Leader Kim Min-seok took office.
At that time, lawmakers bowed at a 90-degree angle, pledging to respect the public and maintain a humble posture.
However, that pledge was soon overshadowed.
On October 16, three days after Governor Choo, a member of the party, caused an uproar with her remark calling the firefighting budget a "straw," the Democratic Party issued a written apology ahead of Governor Choo. A day later, on October 17, Party Leader Kim Min-seok also expressed an apology.
[Kim Min-seok / Democratic Party Leader (October 17): To those who were hurt by the remarks made by a provincial governor from our party....]
Just a few hours later, however, Governor Choo drew criticism over whether her apology was sincere by saying, "I apologize because you want me to."
[Choo Mi-ae / Gyeonggi Governor (October 17): Since you want an apology, I truly apologize with all my heart.]
Things escalated further yesterday when Lawmaker Boo Seung-chan went so far as to make this remark while defending Governor Choo:
[Boo Seung-chan / Democratic Party Lawmaker (Yesterday): Isn't it really sucking up the finances?]
Today, both top leaders of the party had to bow their heads.
[Kim Min-seok / Democratic Party Leader: First of all, I apologize once again that issues causing concern have occurred.]
[Han Byung-do / Democratic Party Floor Leader: The anger and disappointment of the public are growing due to a series of verbal gaffes.]
Just one day later, this afternoon, Lawmaker Boo posted on social media, writing, "I bow my head and apologize."
Inside the Democratic Party, reactions describing the situation as "devastating" and "embarrassing" followed in rapid succession.
Last night, the Democratic Party sent an official directive to all provincial and municipal chapters nationwide calling for "caution in words and actions, and stern measures in case of violations." However, because Party Leader Kim himself has also been embroiled in controversies—such as greeting attendees in the middle of a local festival performance, his chief of staff's vehicle parking in an emergency patient-only space, and visiting a fire station at dawn—the People Power Party ridiculed both Governor Choo and Party Leader Kim together.
[Jeong Jeom-sig / People Power Party Floor Leader: It would not be enough even if the 'Choo-Seok siblings' performed three-step, one-bow prostrations together to beg for forgiveness.]
The Democratic Party leadership ordered an ex officio investigation by the party's ethics inspection division into Lawmaker Boo, but drew the line at disciplining Governor Choo. Meanwhile, some voices within the party are arguing that at least a formal warning must be issued.
(Video by Oh Young-choon, Kim Yong-woo | Video Editing by Won Hyeong-hee | Graphics by Cho Soo-in)
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