Jeong Jeong-sik on Choo Mi-ae's 'drinking straw' remark: 'That's no apology, it's a denigration of firefighters'

Jeong Jeong-sik, floor leader of the People Power Party, criticized Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae's attitude after she apologized for her "firefighting budget straw" remark, saying, "An apology made only because she was told to is not a genuine apology." Speaking at a press briefing at the National Assembly on the morning of the 18th, Jeong said, "An apology made just because she was told to apologize cannot be seen as a genuine apology," while criticizing Governor Choo. He said that firefighters serve with the resolve to endure even their own sacrifice in order to protect the lives and property of the public. He went on to stress, "Using the vile term 'budget straw' to demean the noble spirit of sacrifice of firefighters is a remark that is simply unacceptable for any citizen." He added, "Only when she reflects on her own and considers how much her words have damaged firefighters' pride will her apology carry true sincerity."

The controversial remark was made on the 13th. During a National Assembly audit of Gyeonggi Province by the Public Administration and Security Committee, Governor Choo, addressing local government finances and the budget for national government firefighters, said, "Firefighting is like the biggest budget straw giving us a headache," drawing criticism. On the 17th, Choo visited the funeral altar of Firefighter Kim Jin-seok, who died while battling a factory fire in Bucheon, and apologized, saying she had "no intention whatsoever of denigrating firefighters."

Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk also wrote on Facebook that day, "The anger of Gyeonggi residents is piercing the sky." He demanded, "They want you to 'resign,' so 'resign.'" Jang and floor leader Jeong, along with other People Power Party leadership, visited Firefighter Kim's funeral altar on Sunday morning to pay their condolences.

Condolence visits to the altar have continued across party lines. Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok offered a "deep apology on behalf of the party to the firefighters and citizens hurt by the remarks of a governor belonging to our party" and was scheduled to visit the altar in Bucheon on the afternoon of the 18th to pay his respects. Rep. Song Young-gil, after visiting the altar, pledged to work to improve firefighters' treatment, including upgrading protective equipment, while Rep. Na Kyung-won said she would take a fresh look at the budget and institutions to build a system in which the state takes responsibility.

The remark has sparked ongoing discussion about improving firefighters' working conditions. As political leaders from both ruling and opposition parties have visited the funeral altar of the late Firefighter Kim Jin-seok since the 17th, demands have been raised for a review of firefighting budgets and institutions, as well as improved protective gear — a structure in which the state takes responsibility.