Democratic Party of Korea: 'We sincerely apologize to firefighters and their families'

Choo visits Bucheon fire scene but offers no apology over controversial comment

A firefighter breaks down in tears at the scene of a factory fire in Ojong-gu, Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province on Friday, as Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae offers words of comfort. [Newsis]
A firefighter breaks down in tears at the scene of a factory fire in Ojong-gu, Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province on Friday, as Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae offers words of comfort. [Newsis]

The Democratic Party of Korea issued a formal apology Friday over Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae's controversial "fiscal straw" remark about firefighters, stepping in to contain the fallout before Choo herself had said sorry.

Democratic Party spokesperson Lee Yong-woo said in a written briefing that day that firefighters' dedication to protecting lives and public safety deserves respect. "We sincerely apologize to the firefighters and their families who were hurt by the expression Gov. Choo used," he said.

Lee acknowledged that even if the remark was intended to explain the difficulties of local finances, the party had failed to fully appreciate the hard work and pride of firefighters who quietly carry out their duties at dangerous scenes. "We will reflect on whether we have truly recognized their efforts and provided support worthy of them," he said.

He added that even after firefighters were reclassified as national civil servants, their salaries and other budget items still rely heavily on local government finances. "We will carefully address the remaining challenges in funding and working conditions so that the intent of the national reclassification is realized on the ground," he said. The party also pledged to push for budget allocations during next year's budget review to expand firefighting personnel and equipment and improve working conditions and compensation.

The controversy began Tuesday, when Choo told the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee during a national audit of Gyeonggi Province that firefighting felt like "the biggest headache — like a fiscal straw" in describing the burden on local finances. She said firefighter salaries and operational costs for 2027 were projected to reach about 1.7 trillion won ($1.26 billion).

As the backlash grew, Gyeonggi Province said Thursday that Choo had intended to highlight the structural problem of local governments bearing most of the costs for firefighters who had been reclassified as national civil servants.

Choo visited the site of a factory fire in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province on Friday, where several firefighters were injured, and said she would do everything possible to ensure their treatment and recovery. She offered no comment, however, on the "fiscal straw" remark.


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