Emergency meeting of Democratic Party of Gyeonggi Province, discussion on response to Choo Mi-ae's 'fiscal straw' controversy

As the repercussions of Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae's 'firefighting finance straw' remark continue, the Gyeonggi Province Party of the Democratic Party of Korea held an 'emergency joint meeting of regional chairpersons' on the 18th to discuss response measures.

The emergency meeting held at Bucheon City Hall's Fantastic Cube lasted for about 40 minutes and was attended by about 25 regional committee chairs, including active members of the Gyeonggi region.

An official from the provincial party said, "As public opinion in the province was not favorable toward Governor Chu's remarks, an emergency meeting was convened to discuss countermeasures," and "Some regional committee chairs demanded a sincere apology from Governor Chu, and there were also discussions about improving the treatment of firefighters and budget support."

This official said, “However, no details related to disciplinary action against Governor Chu were discussed.”

'All solidarity petitioners, including Democratic Party members and supporters who want emergency disciplinary action against Governor Chu', are accepting consent to the solidarity petition for Governor Chu's emergency disciplinary action online.

Previously, the provincial party issued a statement on the 17th saying, "Regardless of the intention, we bow our heads in apology to the firefighters, their families, and the public who have been deeply hurt by the remarks of our party's provincial governor."

On the 13th, during the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee's audit of Gyeonggi Province's state administration, Governor Chu said, "Firefighting is like a financial straw that causes the biggest headache," regarding the financial crisis, and the fire union protested, demanding an apology. On the 16th, criticism intensified after a fire at a Bucheon factory killed one firefighter and injured five others.

Finally, on the 17th, four days later, after paying condolences at the funeral of the late Kim Jin-seok, Governor Chu said, "Since you want an apology, I apologize with all my heart," but the controversy has not subsided, with the People's Power Party and others continuing to attack, saying, "It cannot be considered a true apology."