Choo's 'since you want an apology' remark reignites backlash
Democratic Party members submit emergency disciplinary petition
Party weighs whether to pursue impeachment of Chief Justice Jo
Democratic Party approval rating at 36.2%, trailing PPP by 4.7 points
The Democratic Party of Korea has been keeping a low profile as controversy over Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae's remarks about fire department finances refuses to die down. The party's leadership faces mounting pressure after a separate incident in which party leader Kim Min-seok drew criticism for what was described as excessive protocol at a regional festival.
Appearing on the party's YouTube channel "Minti07" on Monday, Kim said the priority now was "to do everything possible to understand the public's feelings and wait until the people's hearts are eased." He declined to comment on calls from within the party for specific disciplinary measures, including expulsion.
Earlier, as Choo delayed her apology, Democratic Party spokesperson Lee Yong-woo issued a party-level apology, and Kim himself apologized publicly on two separate occasions. Kim said the party had conveyed "in various ways" its wish that Choo apologize directly, adding that he had judged it appropriate to apologize on behalf of the party as well, given that she is a public official affiliated with it.
Choo visited the funeral of a firefighter who died in the line of duty in a blaze in Bucheon on Saturday and expressed her apologies to reporters afterward. Her words — "I sincerely apologize from the heart, since you want an apology" — reignited the controversy.
According to sources within the party, a relay of declarations calling for Choo's expulsion has been spreading among Democratic Party members. Some have gone further, drafting an emergency disciplinary joint petition and urging the party's central leadership to begin disciplinary proceedings without delay.
Concern is also growing among lawmakers. Democratic Party Rep. Park Ji-won said on SBS Radio on Monday, "Doesn't it feel bad to hear 'I'm apologizing because you told me to'?" He said the party leadership "should at least issue a warning."
At the supreme council meeting Monday, Kim offered condolences for the late Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok and pledged to improve working conditions for firefighters. The party has not yet decided whether to pursue separate disciplinary action against Choo.
Democratic Party spokesperson Jo Gye-won told reporters after the meeting that the party would "focus on conveying comfort to firefighters and preparing financial and institutional remedies," adding that the matter concerning Choo "would be discussed at a later time."
Kim also apologized Sunday on Facebook over a separate incident in which he had interrupted a performance by singer Park Hye-won — known by her stage name Hynn — to take the stage and deliver remarks at a local festival in Sunchang, North Jeolla Province. "I am sorry to singer Park Hye-won and to the audience," he wrote.
Meanwhile, the People Power Party kept up its offensive over Choo's remarks and her manner of apologizing. PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok said at the party's supreme council meeting, "Saying 'I apologize because you want me to' is not an apology. It is an unprecedented outrage that mocks firefighters twice and insults the public."
Amid the turmoil within the ruling party, the Rebuilding Korea Party added to the pressure on the Democratic Party by unveiling an impeachment motion against Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae.
The Rebuilding Korea Party's motion lists two grounds for impeachment: that Chief Justice Jo violated his duty of political neutrality during the retrial of then-presidential candidate Lee Jae Myung on charges under the Public Official Election Act last year, and that his recent refusal to re-recommend a Supreme Court justice nominee infringed on the public's right to a speedy trial.
The Democratic Party has said it plans to begin full deliberations on whether to impeach Chief Justice Jo after the national audit concludes. The PPP has pushed back sharply, warning that "if an impeachment motion is filed, there will be a public backlash."
The Democratic Party's approval rating has continued to trail that of the PPP in recent polling. A Realmeter survey released Monday put the Democratic Party at 36.2 percent and the PPP at 40.9 percent, a gap of 4.7 percentage points. The poll surveyed 1,005 voters aged 18 and older nationwide from Thursday to Friday using an automated wireless response method. The response rate was 2.7 percent, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level. For further details, visit the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission website.
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