KOR
▲ Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae speaks in front of the mortuary for the late Fire Inspector Kim Jin-seok, who died in the line of duty during a factory fire in Bucheon, at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital on the 17th.
Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae addressed her controversial "firefighting financial straw" remark today (the 17th), stating, "There was no intention whatsoever to disparage firefighters."
Governor Choo made the remarks this afternoon after visiting the mortuary for the late Fire Inspector Kim Jin-seok at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital to pay her respects. Fire Inspector Kim died in the line of duty during a factory fire in Bucheon. She stated, "If my words were conveyed differently from my intention, I express my deepest regret and apologize with all my heart."
Previously, Governor Choo sparked controversy on the 13th during a parliamentary audit of Gyeonggi Province by the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee. While discussing local government financial issues and budgets related to firefighters, who are national public officials, she remarked, "Firefighting seems like the biggest and most troublesome financial straw."
Governor Choo also clarified, "You asked me to apologize at the fire scene yesterday as well, but I said 'please do not ask' in the sense that the location was inappropriate. It did not mean that I could not offer an apology."
She went on to explain, "On the day of the parliamentary audit, questions about firefighting arose at the end of a question-and-answer session regarding the Gyeonggi Province fiscal emergency declaration. I noted that personnel expenses amount to about 1.1 trillion won, while government support is a mere 80 billion won, making it the most difficult area."
Governor Choo stated that firefighting personnel are set to be significantly expanded, with about 3,200 of them—accounting for roughly 40 percent—assigned to Gyeonggi Fire Services, adding that she has conveyed these matters to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and requested national government subsidies.
She emphasized, "I admit that it was a slip of the tongue that occurred while discussing structural financial issues. Looking at the overall context, that was not my intention. That expression came out of an earnest desire to appeal for the improvement of their treatment, and there is absolutely no intention to belittle firefighters."
Governor Choo paid her respects at the mortuary today and met with the bereaved family of Fire Inspector Kim to talk.
The bereaved family reportedly demanded improvements to the safety system and investment 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 put out 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). Although he was rescued, he passed away today.
The fire resulted in a total of eight casualties, including the death of Fire Inspector Kim and injuries ranging from serious to minor for five other firefighters.
The funeral for the deceased 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 solemnly held on the 19th.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.
