Serious Crime Investigation Office Transfers Choo Mi-ae's 'Firefighting Budget Straw' Comment Case to Police

The Serious Crime Investigation Office has transferred the case of Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae, who was reported over her controversial "firefighting budget straw" remarks, to the police.

The Seoul Regional Serious Crime Investigation Office recently transferred the case involving Governor Choo, who faces allegations including abuse of power and defamation, to the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency.

Governor Choo caused a controversy on the 13th during a parliamentary audit of Gyeonggi Province by the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee when she remarked, "Firefighting seems to be the biggest and most headache-inducing budget straw."

Four days later on the 17th, she further fueled the controversy at the mortuary of the late Fire Inspector Kim Jin-seok, who died in the line of duty during a factory fire in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, by stating, "Since you want an apology, I apologize with all my heart."

On the 19th of last month, the civic group Citizens' Coalition for Livelihood Measures filed a complaint against Governor Choo with the Serious Crime Investigation Office over her remarks.

The Seoul Regional Serious Crime Investigation Office assigned the case to its Anti-Corruption Investigation Bureau, but reportedly concluded after reviewing the matter that it would be appropriate for the police to conduct the investigation.

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