Democratic Party Apologized, but Choo Refused Even Questions..."Proxy Apology Farce" Says People Power Party

Although the Democratic Party officially apologized for Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae's "financial straw" remarks about firefighters, the person responsible, Governor Choo, refused to answer related questions from journalists, prompting the People Power Party to criticize what it called a "proxy apology farce."

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

The Democratic Party stated "The dedication of firefighters who protect the nation's lives and safety deserves respect" and "Even though the intention was to explain the difficulties of local finances, we take seriously that we failed to fully appreciate the dedication and pride of firefighters who quietly fulfill their duties in dangerous situations."

The party went on to say it would review whether it has provided adequate support to firefighters and pledged to make efforts to secure necessary funds for expanding personnel and equipment, improving work environments, and enhancing treatment in next year's budget review.

Governor Choo's own political party directly addressed her remarks in their apology and even pledged to expand budget support.

Governor Choo visited a factory fire site in Naedong, Ojeong-gu, Bucheon City that morning and stated she would make every effort to ensure proper treatment and recovery for injured firefighters.

When a reporter asked at the scene, "Firefighters' unions are objecting because of your 'financial straw' remarks...," Governor Choo did not listen to the complete question and responded, "Let's not talk about that."

Officials at the scene limited further questioning, citing the nature of the fire scene, and Governor Choo left the scene without issuing a separate statement.

Consequently, the People Power Party criticized the Democratic Party's official apology as a "proxy apology farce" and urged Governor Choo to issue a direct apology.

Park Seong-hun, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, criticized the remarks, stating "Without even a sincere apology from the responsible party, the Democratic Party has resorted to this bizarre farce of proxy apology," calling it "the height of shameless responsibility-dodging."

Choi Su-jin, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party's parliamentary caucus, stated in a commentary "Governor Choo, who disparaged the firefighting budget as 'the most bothersome financial straw,' has consistently remained silent without even expressing regret about her reckless remarks," and urged "the Lee Jae-myung administration and Governor Choo must make a sincere apology before the people."

The Gyeonggi Province branch of the People Power Party, in a statement under the name of chief spokesperson O Nam-seok, asked "Is it truly the attitude of a responsible public official when statements are made by the governor but apologies are offered by the ruling party instead?" and "The person who made the statement is Governor Choo Mi-ae, and the person who should apologize is also Governor Choo Mi-ae," urging for a direct apology and accountable explanation.

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

Previously, on the 13th, Governor Choo made remarks during a parliamentary inspection of Gyeonggi Province at the National Assembly's Administration and Safety Committee, explaining local government burden for salaries and project costs of state-level firefighters, saying "Firefighting seems like the most bothersome financial straw."

At that time, Governor Choo argued for the need to expand national fiscal support, noting that Gyeonggi Province would need to bear approximately 1.7 trillion won in firefighter salaries and project costs by 2027, but national funding support only accounts for 9 percent.

On the 15th, the province explained through spokesperson Hong Eun-gwang that the remarks were intended to emphasize the issue that even after firefighters transitioned to state-level positions, local governments still bear most of the firefighting budget while the proportion of national treasury support has actually decreased.

However, firefighters' labor unions argue "Raising the issue of the fiscal burden structure and comparing firefighting organizations to fiscal burdens are separate matters," and are demanding a direct apology from Governor Choo.