Democratic Party Issues Warnings to Choo Mi-ae and Boo Seung-chan, Urging Caution in Words and Actions

[Anchor]

The Democratic Party has issued warnings to Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae and Representative Boo Seung-chan, who sparked controversy with remarks describing fire service finances as a "straw." Amid daily official apologies, the Democratic Party also dispatched an official document to city and provincial chapters across the country urging members to be cautious with their words and actions.

Go Jeong-hyeon reports.

[Reporter]

At a closed Supreme Council meeting held today (October 21), the Democratic Party decided to issue warnings to Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae and Representative Boo Seung-chan, who caused an uproar over their remarks regarding "fire service finances."

The party explained that the measure is intended to urge the individuals to engage in deep self-reflection and prevent any recurrence.

With consecutive apologies being issued not only at the party level but also by leadership, the move is seen as prompt action by the Democratic Party to prevent the fallout from spreading further.

On October 16, three days after party member and Gyeonggi Governor Choo sparked controversy with her remark calling fire service finances a "straw," the Democratic Party apologized for the comment in writing 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 governor from our party..."]

However, just a few hours later, Governor Choo invited criticism over whether her apology was sincere after remarking that she was apologizing "because you wish for it."

[Choo Mi-ae / Gyeonggi Governor (October 17): "Since you wish for an apology, I truly apologize with all my heart."]

To make matters worse, on October 19, Representative Boo Seung-chan went so far as to make this remark while defending Governor Choo:

[Boo Seung-chan / Democratic Party Lawmaker (October 19): "Aren't they really sucking up the finances?"]

Yesterday (October 20), both top leaders of the party had to bow in apology.

[Kim Min-seok / Democratic Party Leader (Yesterday): "I would like to first apologize once again for causing concerns."]

[Han Byung-do / Democratic Party Floor Leader (Yesterday): "Public anger and disappointment are mounting due to consecutive verbal gaffes."]

Just a day later, on the afternoon of October 20, Representative Boo posted on social media, writing, "I bow my head in apology."

Inside the Democratic Party, reactions such as "devastating" and "embarrassing" followed one after another.

On the night of October 19, the Democratic Party sent an official document to city and provincial chapters nationwide ordering members to "exercise caution in words and actions, and face strict measures upon violation." However, as Party Leader Kim himself has faced public criticism over "greeting audiences in the middle of a local festival performance," "his chief of staff's vehicle parking in a designated zone for emergency patients," and an "early-morning visit to a fire station," the People Power Party took sarcastic aim at both Governor Choo and Party Leader Kim together.

[Jeong Jeom-sig / People Power Party Floor Leader (Yesterday): "It would not be enough even if the 'Choo-Seok siblings' performed a three-step one-bow pilgrimage together to beg for forgiveness..."]

The Democratic Party stated that it will do its utmost to improve the safety and working conditions of firefighters, and work to reform systems related to public finance.

Video by Nam Il
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.