Outcry Over 'Fire Services Drain Budgets' Remark on Day of Firefighter's Funeral… Party Leader Kim Apologizes

Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok personally apologized for Rep. Boo Seung-chan's remark that fire services "drain public finances," made on the day of a firefighter's funeral. Appearing on the party's YouTube channel 'Democratic Party TV' on the 20th, Kim said, "I apologize once again," adding that he had issued a stern warning to Rep. Boo and ordered the party's ethics inspection team to conduct an ex-officio investigation. He explained, "Regardless of the context, it could be perceived as offensive to the public," and "I judged it necessary for the party to clarify its position quickly."

On the afternoon of the 19th, during a National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee audit on Gyeonggi Province, Democratic Party Rep. Boo Seung-chan referred to Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae's "fire services straw" remark, saying, "Even though about 90 percent of the fire service budget for personnel and related support costs comes from the central government, local governments still bear the burden—doesn't this really suck the finances dry?" His remarks came on the very day a firefighter's funeral was held.

Governor Choo Mi-ae had earlier drawn criticism on the 13th, when she said during the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee audit on Gyeonggi Province that "fire services are like the biggest financial straw draining us," and later apologized.

The opposition also weighed in. At a National Assembly meeting on audit response strategies on the 20th, People Power Party floor leader Jung Jeong-sik demanded that the Democratic Party discipline Governor Choo and Rep. Boo at the party level. People Power Party senior deputy floor leader for policy Kim Mi-ae and chief spokesperson Choi Soo-jin issued critical statements regarding leader Kim's apology.