Democratic Party Pledges to Reinforce Firefighting Budget and Support, Closely Watches Fallout Over Choo Mi-ae's 'Apology Controversy'

Although Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae apologized for her remarks referring to firefighting finances as a "straw," controversy over the "sincerity" of her apology has only grown, prompting her home Democratic Party of Korea to step in to control the damage.

While paying tribute to the late Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok and promising full support for firefighting budgets and institutional improvements, the party is focusing on preventing further deterioration in public opinion by repeatedly urging Governor Choo to issue a sincere apology.

The Democratic Party leadership observed a moment of silence to honor Lieutenant Kim ahead of the Supreme Council meeting today.

Party leader Kim Min-seok, who spoke first, emphasized, "Heroes must receive treatment worthy of them," adding, "Creating a safe working environment for firefighters is the infinite responsibility of the state."

He continued, "We must replenish all kinds of equipment needed for firefighting, relief activities, and snow removal in a timely manner, and there should be no shortage of support for firefighters' mental health, including post-traumatic stress disorder," adding, "We will reinforce the budget and support for a safe working environment for firefighters."

Floor Leader Han Byung-do also said, "The Democratic Party deeply engraves the dedication of the deceased, who rushed to the dangerous fire scene first to extinguish the blaze," adding, "We will take the lead in preparing effective recurrence-prevention measures, including rescue and evacuation systems for firefighters, as well as overhauling firefighting-related systems and securing budgets."

The Democratic Party also plans to review legislative and budgetary measures to expand the proportion of state-funded support in the firefighting budget.

Supreme Council member Choi Min-hee stated, "Currently, 72% of firefighting affairs are national affairs, but state support accounts for only 10.7%," proposing, "I suggest the National Assembly promptly begin discussions to transition to a system where the state takes responsibility even for firefighting finances."

Spokesperson Shin Hyun-young told reporters after the meeting, "The party also judges that the necessity for the national government to bear the burden (of the firefighting budget) is growing stronger, and that structural improvements are needed in the budget," explaining, "Led by the Policy Committee, we will swiftly come up with alternatives while examining whether legal revisions are necessary to improve the treatment of firefighters and bridge the gap in regional firefighting services."

Amid this, demands are also erupting within the party that Governor Choo must offer another sincere apology to prevent further worsening of public opinion.

Representative Park Jie-won, a party heavyweight, appeared on SBS Radio today and sharply criticized Governor Choo's attitude toward apologizing, saying, "She keeps talking complete nonsense," and adding, "If you are going to apologize, apologize cleanly. Saying 'I will do it because you told me to' is why she gets caught out."

Representative Kim Byung-joo, whose constituency is Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, also urged in an MBC Radio interview, "An apology is something where the other party must feel sincerity," adding, "I believe she must offer a heartfelt apology once more, and I hope she takes that opportunity today."

The party leadership maintains the position that it will first focus on improving firefighters' working conditions, while closely monitoring critical public opinion toward Governor Choo and internal demands for disciplinary action.

When asked whether the party is reviewing disciplinary action against Governor Choo, Spokesperson Jo Gye-won said, "In the closed-door Supreme Council meeting, leader Kim Min-seok asked to 'first comfort the hearts of the public and firefighters and concentrate on preparing related financial and institutional supplementary measures,'" adding, "Matters that are becoming politicized or issues concerning Governor Choo were agreed to be discussed at a later time."

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