Choo Mi-ae Apologizes for 'Financial Straw' Remark on Fire Services: 'No Intention to Denigrate Firefighters'

Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae stated today (the 17th) regarding her previous remarks about "firefighting financial straws," saying, "There was no intention whatsoever to denigrate firefighters."

Governor Choo made the remarks after visiting the mortuary for the late Fire Inspector Kim Jin-seok, who died in the line of duty during a factory fire in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital this afternoon. She offered her condolences and stated, "If my words were conveyed differently from my intention, I express deep regret and sincerely apologize."

Previously, on the 13th during a parliamentary audit of Gyeonggi Province by the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee, Governor Choo sparked controversy when she mentioned local government financial issues and budgets related to firefighters, who are national public servants, stating, "Fire services seem like the most troublesome financial straw."

Governor Choo explained, "You asked me to apologize at the fire scene yesterday as well, but my response asking you not to ask was based on the view that the location was inappropriate," adding, "It did not mean I was unable to apologize."

She continued, "Following questions about Gyeonggi Province's financial emergency declaration on the day of the parliamentary audit, questions about firefighting arose," and explained, "I mentioned that out of about 1.1 trillion won in labor costs, government support is a mere 80 billion won, making it the most difficult part."

Governor Choo also noted that firefighting personnel are set to be significantly increased, with about 3,200 people—roughly 40 percent of them—to be assigned to Gyeonggi fire services, and that she had conveyed these matters to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to request national government subsidies.

She emphasized, "I admit it was a slip of the tongue that came out while talking about structural financial issues. Looking at the overall context, that was not my intention," adding, "Such an expression came out of an earnest desire to appeal for the improvement of treatment, and there was no intention to disparage firefighters at all."

Governor Choo paid her respects at the mortuary today and met with the bereaved family of Fire Inspector Kim.

The bereaved family reportedly demanded improvements to safety systems and investments in fire safety.

At the meeting, Governor Choo also promised provincial-level honors befitting the late firefighter's sacrifice, including support for the funeral and the bereaved family.

Fire Inspector Kim was deployed as part of the initial response team to extinguish a fire that broke out at a metal injection printing factory in Naedong, Ojeong-gu, Bucheon, at around 8:38 a.m. yesterday (the 16th). He was rescued but passed away that day.

The fire resulted in a total of 8 casualties, including the death of Fire Inspector Kim and 5 other firefighters who sustained serious or minor injuries.

The late firefighter's funeral will be held as a Gyeonggi Provincial Office funeral in accordance with the wishes of the bereaved family, and the farewell ceremony is scheduled to be held solemnly on the 19th.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.