"We Are Sorry": Democratic Party Apologizes Daily Amid String of Verbal Gaffes

[Anchor]

Following Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae's remarks about "sucking up firefighting finances like a straw," inappropriate remarks have continued within the Democratic Party of Korea, prompting official apologies day after day. The party leadership apologized again today (October 20), stating, "Public anger is mounting over consecutive verbal gaffes." The party even sent an official letter to all its municipal and provincial chapters nationwide urging caution in their words and actions.

Reporter Kim Kwan-jin reports.

[Reporter]

Just two months ago, at the first Democratic Party general meeting of lawmakers held shortly after leader Kim Min-seok took office.

Lawmakers at the time bowed at a 90-degree angle, pledging to respect the public and adopt a humble posture.

However, that pledge has been eclipsed.

On October 16, three days after party member Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae triggered controversy with her remark about "sucking up firefighting finances like a straw," the Democratic Party issued a written apology for the remark 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 of our party's governor...]

However, just hours later, Governor Choo drew criticism over whether her apology was sincere by saying 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.]

Things escalated yesterday when Representative Boo Seung-chan went so far as to make this remark while defending Governor Choo:

[Boo Seung-chan / Democratic Party Lawmaker (yesterday): Aren't they really sucking up finances left and right?]

Today, both of the party's top leaders had to bow their heads.

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

[Han Byung-do / Democratic Party Floor Leader: Public anger and disappointment are growing due to consecutive verbal gaffes.]

Representative Boo posted on social media this afternoon, just a day later, writing, "I bow my head in apology."

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

Last night, the Democratic Party sent an official notice to all municipal and provincial chapters nationwide mandating "caution in words and actions, and stern action in case of violation." However, Leader Kim himself has been embroiled in controversy over "greeting an audience in the middle of a local festival performance," "his chief of staff's car parking in an emergency patient-only space," and "a dawn visit to a fire station." Seizing on this, the People Power Party took aim at both Governor Choo and Leader Kim.

[Jeong Jeom-sig / People Power Party Floor Leader: Even if the 'Choo-Seok siblings' performed three steps and one full bow together to beg for forgiveness, it would not be enough.]

While the Democratic Party leadership has ordered an ex officio investigation into Representative Boo by the party's ethics inspection team, it is drawing a line against disciplining Governor Choo. Nonetheless, some voices within the party argue that at least a formal warning should be issued.

Reported by Oh Young-chun and Kim Yong-woo | Video by Won Hyeong-hee | Graphics by Cho Su-in
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.