Ruling Party Apologized But Choo Miae Refused Even to Answer Questions…People Power Party Says "Proxy Apology Farce"

The Democratic Party officially apologized for Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Miae's remarks about "financial straws" in firefighting, but Governor Choo herself, the person who made the remarks, refused to answer related questions from the press. The People Power Party criticized this as a "proxy apology farce."

According to political circles on the 17th, the Democratic Party issued a statement in the name of spokesman Lee Yong-woo the previous day, saying, "We sincerely apologize to firefighters and their families who were hurt by the expressions used by Governor Choo."

The Democratic Party stated, "The dedication of firefighters who protect the lives and safety of the people deserves respect," and added, "Even if the intention was to explain local financial difficulties, we take seriously the failure to fully appreciate the dedication and pride of firefighters who quietly carry out their duties in dangerous situations."

It went on to review whether firefighters have received appropriate support and promised to make efforts to secure necessary resources for personnel and equipment expansion, improvement of working conditions and treatment in the budget review for next year.

The party to which Governor Choo belongs directly mentioned her remarks and apologized, and even promised to expand budget support.

Governor Choo visited the scene of a factory fire in Naedong, Ojeong-gu, Bucheon on the morning of that day, and said she would do her utmost to ensure treatment and recovery of injured firefighters.

At this point, when a reporter asked, "The firefighters' union is objecting because of the 'financial straw' remarks…" Governor Choo did not hear the question to the end and replied, "Let's not talk about that."

An official at the scene also limited further questions, citing the fact that it was a fire scene, and Governor Choo left the scene without any additional statement.

In response, the People Power Party criticized the Democratic Party's official apology as a "proxy apology farce" and urged Governor Choo to apologize directly.

Park Sung-hoon, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, said, "With not a single sincere apology from the responsible party, the Democratic Party ultimately staged a bizarre farce of proxy apology," and criticized it as "the height of shamelessness in shirking responsibility."

Choi Su-jin, floor leader spokesman for the People Power Party, said in a statement, "Governor Choo, who disparaged the firefighting budget as the 'biggest troublesome financial straw,' consistently remained silent without expressing even a single regret about her reckless remarks," and urged, "The Lee Jae-myung administration and Governor Choo should make a sincere apology to the people."

The People Power Party's Gyeonggi Provincial Committee, in a statement issued under chief spokesperson Oh Nam-seok, asked, "Is it the attitude of a responsible public official to have the governor make the remarks but have the party apologize on his behalf?" and stated, "The person who made the remarks is Governor Choo Miae, and the person who should apologize is also Governor Choo Miae," urging a direct apology and responsible explanation.

The Innovation Party for Cho Kuk and Reform Party have not yet issued separate official statements.

Earlier, Governor Choo said during a parliamentary inspection of Gyeonggi Province at the National Assembly's Committee on Administration and Safety on the 13th that "firefighting is like the biggest bothersome financial straw," while explaining the burden placed on local governments for salaries and project costs of national firefighters.

At that time, Governor Choo argued for the need for expanded national financial support, noting that Gyeonggi Province will have to bear approximately 1.7 trillion won in firefighter salaries and project costs by 2027, but national funding support is only at the 9% level.

On the 15th, the provincial government explained through spokesman Hong Eun-kwang that the remarks were intended to emphasize the issue that even though firefighters were converted to national civil servants, local governments bear most of the firefighting budget while the ratio of national treasury support has actually decreased.

However, the firefighters' labor union argued, "Raising the issue of the financial burden-sharing structure and comparing the firefighting organization to a financial burden are separate matters," and is demanding a direct apology from Governor Choo.