Kim Minseok Apologizes Over Choo Miae's "Fiscal Drain" Remark... "Asked Choo to Apologize"

Kim Minseok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, personally apologized on the 17th for Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Miae's remark describing the fire service as a "fiscal drain."

In a statement to the press that day, Kim said, "On behalf of the party, I offer my deepest apologies to the firefighters and the public who were hurt by the remarks of a governor from our party. I have also asked the governor to offer a sincere apology after deep reflection."

Yonhap News Agency

He added, "The party will carefully deliberate and take action to ensure that public officials affiliated with the party do not make such inappropriate remarks again."

Following apologies in official statements by spokesperson Lee Yongwoo the previous day and floor spokesperson Lee Juhee that day, party leader Kim also apologized for Governor Choo's remarks.

Earlier, at a parliamentary audit by the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee on the 13th, Governor Choo made remarks about local governments' fiscal problems, saying, "The fire service seems to be the biggest fiscal drain and a real headache." Criticism of Choo intensified after Fire Lieutenant Kim Jinseok, who had responded to a factory fire in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, died in the line of duty that day.

Kim also said, "I offer my deepest condolences as Fire Lieutenant Kim rests in peace," adding, "I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the firefighters and their families."

Kim added that he plans to pay his respects after completing his official schedule in Busan. Floor Leader Han Byungdo and Secretary-General Han Jeongae are scheduled to visit Fire Lieutenant Kim's funeral at the funeral hall of Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital that afternoon.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.