Choo Mi-ae apologizes for 'fire service straw' remark ... 'Innovation needed even if politically burned at the stake'

[Financial News]  Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae stressed the need to improve fire service finances, including personnel costs for firefighters, saying, "I hope innovation is achieved on this issue, even if I am politically burned at the stake."
According to Yonhap News Agency on the 25th, Choo said in an interview, "Politicians need to approach this with a real sense of responsibility. The fire service funding problem won't be solved by hiding behind my controversial remarks and criticizing me," calling on the political sphere to respond responsibly.
She also explained the background to her controversial 'straw' remark. Choo said, "We formed a Fiscal Innovation Task Force to address the fiscal crisis, and the task force expressed the view that 'the fire service is the biggest burden.' Both safety and welfare are essential sectors, but I was lamenting the predicament of having to choose between them because of financial constraints, and my wording was inappropriate."
She apologized once again for her remarks at the time, saying, "At the time, I couldn't think of the right word. My attempt to express the weight I felt inside turned out to be a mistake. I apologize again."
She also expressed her determination to pursue improvements to fire service finances. Choo said, "The person at the very forefront of reform always has a hard time. But that change benefits those who come after us—the next generation. I don't need to shine during my term in office. I will fulfill my mission, convinced that the path we are on now is for the good of Gyeonggi Province."

[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter