Ruling party prioritizes support for fire-service funding and policies over disciplining Choo Mi-ae

The aftershocks continue within and beyond the Democratic Party, even though Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae, a member of the party, has repeatedly apologized for her remark that “fire services are a drain on public finances.” The leadership under Kim Min-seok says it will focus on calming public outrage through fire-service-related budget and policy support rather than immediately disciplining Governor Choo.
Party leader Kim appeared on the Democratic Party’s official YouTube program “Minti 07” on the 19th and addressed the controversy over Governor Choo’s remark that “fire services are a drain on public finances.” He said, “For now, above all, it is our priority to understand the public’s feelings and do everything we can until people are able to feel at ease again.” His remarks were seen as avoiding a direct answer on whether she would be expelled from the party or face specific disciplinary measures.
The party’s position, released after the Democratic Party’s Supreme Council meeting that day, was much the same. Spokesperson Jo Gye-won said, “The party will focus on comforting the public, offering words of consolation to firefighters, and drawing up related fiscal and institutional measures,” adding, “We decided to discuss Governor Choo at a later time.”
Some within the party, however, continue to believe that strong action against Governor Choo is necessary. In particular, party members with voting rights aligned with Lee Jae-myung are even holding a petition drive demanding tough measures, including Choo’s expulsion. Analysts say this is linked to Choo’s recent actions. She criticized the appointment of Kim Ji-yong as head of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency, putting her at odds with the Lee Jae-myung administration, and has continued making remarks that seem to blame President Lee and other former governors for Gyeonggi Province’s purported fiscal collapse.
Senior Democratic Party lawmaker Park Ji-won sharply criticized Governor Choo that day. Appearing on SBS radio’s “Kim Tae-hyun’s Political Show,” Park said, “Governor Choo keeps saying utterly absurd things,” and added, “If you’re going to apologize, apologize properly. Saying, ‘I’ll apologize because you told me to,’ gives people something to criticize you for.”
The People Power Party continued to criticize Governor Choo. At a National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee audit of Gyeonggi Province held that day at the provincial government building in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, People Power Party member Kim Jong-yang said she had made “an outrageous remark that will remain an indelible insult to firefighters, among the most emblematic uniformed public servants.” He criticized her for having “trampled the pride of uniformed public servants who risk their lives to serve the public in harsh conditions.”
With criticism from within and outside the party showing no sign of abating, Governor Choo apologized once again for her remarks that day. Before beginning her work report at the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee’s audit, she said, “I sincerely apologize to all the firefighters who were hurt by my recent remarks.” She added, “I take firefighters’ dedication very seriously. I will pay even closer attention to their safety and working conditions.”