PPP says firefighters 'demonized' for political gain
Choo Mi-ae visits Bucheon fire scene, calls death of firefighter 'devastating'
Kim Min-seok offers 'deep apology,' says he asked Choo to do the same
The People Power Party continued its attacks on the ruling camp Saturday over Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae's remarks describing firefighters as a "fiscal straw" draining public finances.
PPP spokesperson Jo Yong-sul said in a statement that the public had demanded a sincere apology after Choo's "outrageous" comments, but that the Democratic Party of Korea had stepped in to apologize on her behalf once criticism mounted. "What kind of absurd and cowardly politics is this?" he said.
Jo said the person who had damaged firefighters' honor had stayed silent while the party moved in to smooth things over as public sentiment soured, and asked whether they believed the public would simply be fooled. He called it "cowardly politics" in which the person who causes the problem is different from the person who apologizes.
His remarks were directed at the Democratic Party's decision to issue a formal party-level apology before Choo herself had said anything.
The Democratic Party apologized Friday, saying it was "sincerely sorry to firefighters and their families who were hurt by the expression Governor Choo used," and acknowledged that even if the intent had been to explain the difficulties of local government finances, the party had failed to adequately consider the dedication and pride of firefighters who quietly carry out their duties in dangerous conditions.
Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok also issued a public statement Saturday, offering "a deep apology on behalf of the party to the firefighters and the public who were hurt by the remarks of our party's governor." Kim added that he had personally asked Choo to offer her own "deeply reflective apology."
Jo also turned his criticism to Choo's visit to the scene of a factory fire in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, in which Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok was killed and five other firefighters were injured.
"Governor Choo visited the Bucheon fire scene, but she has not even retracted her 'fiscal straw' remarks," Jo said. He added that when pressed to apologize, she had brazenly deflected by saying, "Don't bring that up."
Jo went on to ask who had taught Choo "the kind of politics that demonizes even firefighters for her own political achievements," and urged her to "stop hiding behind the Democratic Party."
He said Choo must apologize directly to the firefighters she had hurt and prove her accountability through concrete budget measures to improve their safety and working conditions. He also warned the Democratic Party not to think it could get away with a proxy apology.
Amid the controversy, Choo posted on Facebook Saturday to mourn the death of Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok, writing that she would "never forget the courage and dedication of the deceased, who risked his own life to save others." She said she could not suppress feelings of devastation and grief.
She added that she would "once again take deeply to heart how weighty a responsibility it is to protect the life and safety of each and every firefighter," and said she would "look more thoroughly into safety conditions and the working environment on the ground."
shindw@heraldcorp.com
