Choo Mi-ae apologizes again to firefighters over 'fiscal straw' remark

Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae issued a second apology to firefighters Monday at a national audit session, after drawing criticism over remarks describing fire department funding as a fiscal burden and over the manner of her initial apology.

During her opening remarks at the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee audit of Gyeonggi Province, Choo said she was "sincerely sorry to the firefighters who were hurt by my recent remarks" and that she holds "the dedication of firefighters more deeply than anyone," Yonhap reported.

"I will pay closer attention to the safety and working conditions of firefighters," she said, adding that she would "humbly listen" to the committee members' comments at the audit.

Choo also said she was "seeing off the final journey" of the late firefighter Kim Jin-seok, who died in the line of duty in a Bucheon factory fire, calling it "truly heartbreaking."

"I extend my deepest condolences and comfort again to his bereaved family and to the firefighting community," she said.

The controversy began Tuesday, when Choo told the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee audit of Gyeonggi Province that fire department personnel represented "the biggest headache — like a fiscal straw" draining local government finances, referring to budget pressures stemming from firefighters' status as national civil servants.

On Saturday, she visited the funeral home of the late Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok, who died in the Bucheon factory fire, and said, "If my intentions were conveyed differently than I meant, I express deep regret, and since you are asking for an apology, I sincerely apologize with all my heart." The phrase "since you are asking for an apology" drew fresh criticism, with many saying the wording implied the apology was offered only because it was demanded rather than out of genuine remorse.

The Democratic Party of Korea, Choo's own party, also moved to contain the fallout.

Party leadership observed a moment of silence in honor of the late Fire Lieutenant Kim before the start of their supreme council meeting Monday.

Party leader Kim Min-seok said "heroes must be treated in a manner befitting their status" and that "creating a safe working environment for firefighters is an unlimited responsibility of the state." He called for timely replenishment of equipment needed for firefighting, rescue operations and snow removal, and said support for firefighters' mental health — including post-traumatic stress disorder — must be adequate. "We will strengthen the budget and support for a safe working environment for firefighters," he said.

Floor leader Han Byung-do said the party "deeply honors the dedication of the deceased, who was among the first to rush to a dangerous fire scene and work to extinguish it."

Supreme council member Choi Min-hee said that while 72 percent of fire department operations are classified as national affairs, only 10.7 percent of funding comes from the national government. "I propose that the National Assembly begin discussions as soon as possible on transitioning to a system where the state takes responsibility for fire service finances as well," she said.

Spokesperson Shin Hyeon-yeong told reporters after the meeting that "the need for the national government to bear fire service costs is growing stronger, and the party also judges that structural improvements to the budget are necessary."