Bu Seung-chan apologizes for controversial remarks about firefighters, saying, “I was not careful”

[Financial News] Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Bu Seung-chan apologized on the 20th for sparking controversy with remarks about fire service funding in Gyeonggi Province.
Rep. Bu posted an apology on social media (SNS), saying, “As a politician who bears a heavy responsibility for every word, I failed to show the careful words and conduct that meet the public’s expectations. I bow my head and apologize.” He added, “As someone who once wore a uniform, I deeply regret that I failed to show due respect to those who are dedicating themselves, even at this moment, to the lives and safety of the people. I will take the lead in strengthening the state’s responsibility so that all of you in the fire service can carry out your duties safely and your dedication can be properly respected.”
The day before, during the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee’s parliamentary audit of Gyeonggi Province, Rep. Bu pointed out that local governments bear a substantial portion of fire service funding even though firefighters have been made national civil servants, asking, “Isn’t this really draining public finances at an alarming rate?” The remark came as he defended Governor Choo’s comments on fire service funding. Protests and calls for an apology from People Power Party lawmakers followed, at one point forcing the audit to be suspended.
Earlier, Governor Choo sparked controversy on the 13th during the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee’s parliamentary audit of Gyeonggi Province, while explaining the financial burden related to fire services, by saying, “Fire services seem like the biggest, most troublesome drain on the budget.” He meant that local governments continue to shoulder a substantial financial burden even after firefighters became national civil servants, but critics said his wording made fire services sound like the cause of that burden. Governor Choo later visited the wake of a firefighter who died in the line of duty and apologized, then also apologized to firefighters during the audit on the 19th.
The Democratic Party leadership also responded as the controversy spread. The day before, party leader Kim Min-seok issued a stern warning to Rep. Bu and ordered the party’s Central Ethics Tribunal to launch an ex officio investigation into the circumstances surrounding the remarks. Kim again apologized in connection with Bu’s comments on the party’s YouTube program “Minty07” on the 20th, saying, “At times like this, it’s better to be more measured in what you say and do.”

[email protected] Song Ji-won Reporter