[Anchor]

Regarding the remark about a "firefighting financial straw," the firefighters' union has demanded a formal apology from Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae and Democratic Party lawmaker Boo Seung-chan. Governor Choo met with the union and bowed her head once again.

Reporter Kim Minjun has the details.

[Reporter]

[Is firefighting a financial straw? Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae, reflect sincerely!]

In front of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government office this afternoon (October 20).

Holding a press conference, the Firefighting Headquarters of the Korean Government Employees' Union raised their voices, stating that Governor Choo—the person behind the so-called "financial straw remark"—has "not apologized directly to firefighters," and demanded a formal apology.

The union also urged Democratic Party lawmaker Boo Seung-chan, who used a similar expression during a parliamentary audit yesterday, to state his position.

[Kwon Young-gak / Head of the Firefighting Headquarters, Korean Government Employees' Union: She must issue a formal apology to firefighters, not an apology aimed at the media. Before the ink on (Governor Choo's apology) even dried, Democratic Party lawmaker Boo Seung-chan's reckless financial straw remark followed.]

Following the press conference, a meeting took place between Governor Choo and the firefighters' union.

Governor Choo had previously not expressed her stance regarding the "financial straw remark" made on the very day Fire Inspector Kim Jin-seok died in a Bucheon factory fire.

[Chou Mi-ae / Gyeonggi Governor (October 16, the day of the Bucheon fire): (Governor, firefighters' unions are protesting because of your financial straw remark...) Don't talk about that.]

Saying that she was unable to properly express what was in her heart at the time, she bowed her head once again.

[Chou Mi-ae / Gyeonggi Governor: The media took issue with that remark at the site, but I was unable to fully express what was in my heart. Once again, I sincerely apologize if it caused you any hurt.]

In their opening remarks, the union expressed that they were "grateful" for Governor Choo's apology. During the meeting, which lasted about 40 minutes, they requested the formation of a fact-finding committee for the Bucheon fire—including bereaved family members and experts—as well as the expansion of the firefighting budget.

(Video by Jang Woon-seok | Video Editing by Nam Il)