Choo's apology fails to contain fallout as lawmaker Bu's similar remarks reignite row
Kim Min-seok apologizes again, orders ethics probe
Vehicle parked in emergency bay during condolence visit adds to party's woes
Opposition calls for maximum disciplinary action; PPP announces firefighter task force
The Democratic Party of Korea finds itself in an increasingly uncomfortable position over a string of controversies tied to firefighter budget remarks. What had appeared to be winding down after Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae issued repeated apologies was reignited when lawmaker Bu Seung-chan made similar comments. The party was then hit by a separate controversy over a vehicle from Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok's office being parked in a hospital emergency bay.
On Tuesday, Kim addressed the controversy on the YouTube channel "Minti07," referring to remarks Bu made during a national audit of Gyeonggi Province on Monday, in which Bu described the firefighting budget as something that "sucks up" fiscal resources. "I first want to say again that I am sorry for the various things that have given the public cause for concern," Kim said.
Kim said that "regardless of the context, I felt the public would find it uncomfortable," adding that he believed "the party needed to take a position quickly." He said he had issued a formal warning using his authority as party leader and directed an appropriate party body to investigate. "I thought it would be best for the Ethics Tribunal to handle the probe, but that takes some time — and for a lawmaker, the Ethics and Inspection Team can do it — so I directed them to begin an investigation into the situation," he said.
The controversy began when Choo used the phrase "fiscal straw" to describe the firefighting budget, drawing sharp criticism. She subsequently issued repeated apologies in an effort to contain the fallout, but Bu's similar remarks at the national audit on Monday poured fresh fuel on the fire.
The Democratic Party moved to contain the damage by pledging to improve working conditions for firefighting civil servants and secure adequate funding. Policy committee chair Kwon Chil-seung, speaking at a national audit strategy meeting Tuesday, said "guaranteeing treatment befitting the realities and dedication of firefighting civil servants is a duty of the state," and vowed to "do everything possible to prevent further tragic deaths, improve firefighting-related systems and secure the necessary budget."
Amid the fallout, a separate controversy emerged over a vehicle associated with Kim's office being parked in a hospital emergency bay. It came to light that on Sunday, when Kim visited the funeral home of a firefighter who died in the line of duty, the vehicle that dropped him off was parked in an emergency-only bay for about 30 minutes. Kim Tae-seon, chief of staff to the party leader, said the vehicle belonged to his own lawmaker's office and apologized, saying it was "my fault, with no excuse."
People Power Party floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik, speaking at his own national audit strategy meeting Tuesday, called on the Democratic Party to impose "the highest level of party discipline" on Choo and Bu "so that such outrageous remarks are never repeated." He also announced the formation of a "Firefighter Dedication and Recognition Task Force" under three guiding principles — strengthening the central government's responsibility for firefighting, supporting firefighter safety, and enhancing support for the families of firefighters killed in the line of duty — to develop measures to improve firefighters' working conditions.
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