Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae stated today (the 17th) regarding her controversial "firefighting financial straw" remark, "There was no intent whatsoever to disparage firefighters."

Governor Choo made the remark after visiting the mortuary at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital to pay her respects to the late Fire Inspector Kim Jin-seok, who died in the line of duty during a factory fire in Bucheon this afternoon. She said, "If my words were conveyed differently from my original intent, I express my deep regret and sincerely apologize."

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 state-managed firefighters, she remarked, "Firefighting seems to be the most troublesome financial straw."

Choo explained, "Yesterday at the fire scene, when asked to apologize, I said 'please don't ask' under the notion that the location was inappropriate," adding, "It did not mean that I was unable to apologize."

She continued, "On the day of the parliamentary audit, questions about firefighting followed a question regarding Gyeonggi Province's financial emergency declaration," and explained, "I mentioned that out of about 1.1 trillion won in labor costs, government support is a mere 80 billion won, making it the most difficult part."

Choo also stated that firefighting personnel are set to be significantly increased, with about 3,200 of them—roughly 40 percent—to be assigned to Gyeonggi fire services, and that she had conveyed these matters to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety while requesting national subsidy.

She emphasized, "I admit it was a slip of the tongue that came out while talking about structural financial issues. Looking at the overall context, that was not my intention," and added, "That expression came from an earnest desire to appeal for better treatment, and there is zero intent to look down on firefighters."

Governor Choo paid her respects at the mortuary today and spoke with the bereaved family of Fire Inspector Kim.

It is reported that the bereaved family demanded improvements to the safety system and investment in fire safety.

At the meeting, Governor Choo 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). He was rescued but passed away later that day.

The fire resulted in a total of 8 casualties, including the death of Fire Inspector Kim and 5 other firefighters who sustained serious or minor injuries.

The funeral 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 held solemnly on the 19th.

(Photo: Yonhap News)