Kim sidesteps direct answer on expelling Choo Mi-ae: “We’ll keep working until the public feels reassured”

[Financial News] Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said on the 19th, regarding the controversy over fellow party member and Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae’s remark describing fire services as a “fiscal straw,” “Above all, the priority now is to understand the public’s feelings and do everything we can until they feel reassured.”
Appearing that day on the Democratic Party’s official YouTube program “Minty07,” Kim answered a question about whether the party had decided on its position and course of action amid growing calls for follow-up measures against Governor Choo. He sidestepped a direct answer on whether specific disciplinary action, such as expulsion from the party, would be taken.
He also explained why the party had apologized proactively, saying, “It’s not common, but the party had asked in various ways that it would be good for the person concerned to apologize,” and adding, “Separately, since this is a public official affiliated with the party, we judged that it would be right to apologize on behalf of the party and as the person representing it.”
Kim also pledged to improve the respect and treatment afforded to firefighters and to improve compensation policies. He said, “We need to keep improving safety-related equipment and gear, and because they constantly face extremely difficult conditions, we also intend to keep strengthening the care we provide for their mental health, including addressing the resulting stress and trauma.”
He added, “Research is also getting underway to use physical artificial intelligence (AI) to help ensure that people do not have to enter dangerous environments themselves. The National Assembly generally works together on support related to firefighting, regardless of whether lawmakers are in the ruling or opposition parties. We will continue to strengthen these areas.”  

[email protected] Kim Hyeong-gu Reporter