Choo Mi-ae faces backlash despite apologizing for ‘fiscal drain’ remark: ‘I apologize to the firefighters who were hurt’

[Financial News] Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae, who recently sparked controversy with remarks about firefighting finances, apologized again for what she had said.
In opening remarks at the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee’s audit of Gyeonggi Province, held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government on the 19th, Governor Choo said, “I sincerely apologize also to the firefighters who were hurt by my recent remarks.”
She went on to say, “I take firefighters’ dedication more seriously than anyone else,” and added, “I once again offer my words of comfort to the bereaved families and the firefighting community. I will pay even closer attention to firefighters’ safety and working conditions.”
She also said, “I went to see off the late firefighter Kim Jin-seok on his final journey,” adding, “It is truly heartbreaking. I once again offer my deepest condolences and words of comfort to the bereaved families and the firefighting community.”
The National Assembly committee audit, scheduled for 10 a.m. that day, was moved to 1 p.m. because of the funeral for Fire Lieutenant Kim, who died in the line of duty at the scene of a factory fire in Bucheon. Governor Choo attended the funeral and said in her funeral address, “I will carry the bereaved family’s profound sorrow and the name of Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok in my heart with immense weight.”
Governor Choo said, “I will never forget that heavy feeling, and I will do everything in my power to improve working conditions and treatment for the sake of each and every firefighter’s life and safety.” She emphasized, “I will not stop at paying tribute; I will take an even closer look at safety and working conditions in the field. I will address what is lacking and correct what is wrong.”
Earlier, at the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee’s audit of Gyeonggi Province on the 13th, Governor Choo sparked controversy by referring to local governments’ fiscal problems and the budget for firefighters, who are national civil servants, and saying, “Fire services seem like the biggest, most troublesome fiscal drain.”
On the 17th, after visiting the wake of the late Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok, who died in the line of duty in a factory fire in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, she said, “If [those remarks] were conveyed differently from what I intended, I would like to express my deep regret. And since you are asking for an apology, I sincerely apologize from the bottom of my heart,” prompting further controversy.
[email protected] Kim Hee-seon Reporter