Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae invoked an anecdote involving former President Chun Doo-hwan in response to demands for the restoration of livelihood budgets, urging critics to present alternatives to resolve the fiscal crisis rather than merely offering criticism.

Governor Choo made the remarks yesterday (the 5th) while taking the stand to answer questions from the provincial assembly during the 3rd plenary session of the 395th regular session held at the provincial assembly, addressing demands regarding the restoration of livelihood budgets in next year's main budget.

"It is deeply painful that, even though the livelihoods of the people are desperately urgent and weigh heavily on my heart, we are in a reality where we cannot accommodate them [in the budget]," Governor Choo said. "If you want to restore people's livelihoods, bring me a clever solution."

In the process, she also cited an anecdote about former President Chun Doo-hwan.

"As he is a figure I do not respect, I tried to avoid citing him if possible," Governor Choo prefaced, before stating, "When former President Kim Dae-jung, who implemented the Sunshine Policy, was criticized by members of his own political camp, former President Chun reportedly scolded them, saying, 'Do not just criticize; bring even a Moonlight Policy if you have one.'"

She also pushed back against criticism from the People Power Party that she indiscriminately slashed the budget.

Responding to remarks made the previous day by Bang Sung-hwan, the floor leader of the People Power Party at the provincial assembly, who attacked her by using the term "budget butchery," she fired back: "They say the budget was butchered, slashed, and cut, but that is not the case. The reality is that I was not even given the money to buy a knife or a cutting board. Yet, claiming that I am deceiving provincial residents simply because I did not restore the budget amounts to nothing more than political bashing."

Addressing a provincial assembly member from the People Power Party who pointed out earlier that day regarding plans to issue local government bonds and utilize funds by asking, "Is it deception when others do it, but fiscal innovation when you do it?", she countered, "Do not just criticize. If you are going to say that local bonds are out of the question and funds are out of the question, bring me a clever solution."

She also actively clarified concerns raised by some over her use of the expression "political immolation" while emphasizing the necessity of improving fire-fighting finances.

"Even if I were to face political immolation, my demand that fire-fighting personnel expenses be borne by the national government was not an attempt to stand out politically, but rather a desperate outcry and anguish over tax revenues," Governor Choo raised her voice. "Fire-fighting personnel expenses will exceed 1.2 trillion won in 2027, and if the national government shoulders this burden, that money can be put into the livelihood basket and resolved all at once."

She continued, "People might think that because my nickname is 'Choodarc' (Choo Mi-ae + Joan of Arc), I like metaphorical immolation, but that is not the case at all. Why would I repeatedly bring up terms that do nothing to help my image?" She emphasized, "It is an appeal to speak with one voice in resolving this issue."

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province is currently in discussions with the provincial assembly ahead of formulating the final budget bill based on next year's main budget adjustment plan prepared last month.

The provincial assembly plans to deliberate and vote on the budget bill during the current regular session, which runs until December 17, once the province submits it on the 11th.

(Photo provided by Gyeonggi Province, Yonhap News)