Opposition Parties Blast Choo Miae Over 'Apology for Firefighter's Line-of-Duty Death': "Not a Sincere Apology, Resign"

Jang Donghyeok: "An apology made under pressure... Resign"
"Firefighters' sacrifice cannot be judged by a fiscal profit-and-loss statement"

Opposition parties on Oct. 18 sharply criticized Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Miae, saying her apology after visiting the memorial altar for the late Fire Lieutenant Kim Jinseok, who died in the line of duty in a factory fire in Bucheon on Oct. 17, “cannot be considered a sincere apology.”

Jang Donghyeok, leader of the People Power Party, wrote on Facebook that it was “an apology made under pressure five days later, saying, ‘I’m apologizing because you want an apology,’” and criticized Choo, saying, “Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Miae remains arrogant to the end.”

“Is that all she needs to apologize for?” he asked, adding, “She has abandoned provincial administration and is busier with national politics. She took away money for children’s meals and even cut support funds for teachers.” He also said, “And yet she moved into a residence worth 1.2 billion won and bought a new car. Choo herself is the real ‘fiscal siphon.’ Since people want her to resign, she should resign.”

Jeong Jeomsik, the People Power Party’s floor leader, also told reporters that day, “As a citizen, I believe it is utterly unacceptable to disparage the noble spirit of sacrifice of firefighters by using the vile term ‘fiscal siphon.’”

Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Miae comforts a firefighter grieving after a colleague was injured at the scene of a fire at a metal-painting factory in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, on the 16th. Yonhap News.

He continued, “Even yesterday, she apologized while saying, ‘I’m apologizing because you told me to.’ Doesn’t that show she was not sincere about apologizing? An apology made because someone else tells you to cannot be considered a genuine apology.” He stressed that Choo should reflect on and regret how her remarks damaged firefighters’ pride.

Choi Boyoon, the People Power Party’s senior spokesperson, also said in a commentary that Choo had prioritized explanations during her apology, saying that her remarks had been “conveyed differently from what she intended” and were “a mistake in wording.” Choi also criticized Choo for apologizing only after visiting the memorial altar for the firefighter who died in the line of duty, despite previously refusing calls to apologize. “Stop hiding behind explanations, apologize sincerely for your remarks, and show a responsible attitude,” Choi urged.

Yoon Sanghyun, a five-term People Power Party lawmaker, addressed the controversy over the budget for a memorial project for firefighters in a Facebook post. “The sacrifice of uniformed heroes who protect the lives of the people cannot be judged by a fiscal profit-and-loss statement,” he said. “Gyeonggi Province’s budget exceeds 42 trillion won. The 100 million won allocated for a memorial project for the firefighter who died in the line of duty amounts to only about 0.00024% of the total budget.” He added, “The duty of a political leader is not to calculate that sacrifice as a cost, but to fulfill the responsibility the state must shoulder,” and also questioned Choo’s attitude toward apologizing.

The Reform Party also joined the criticism. In a commentary, Lee Donghun, the party’s senior spokesperson, said Choo “seems more concerned with saving face than admitting her wrongdoing, even while apologizing.”

Lee also claimed that Choo had moved into a leased official residence worth around 1.2 billion won and purchased an official car worth around 70 million won while pursuing spending cuts on the grounds of fiscal difficulties. “Is an apology something she gives because the people want one, while only residents are expected to cut back?” he asked.

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