(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporters Park Kyung-mok, Oh Gyu-jin, and Choi Joo-seong = An overall atmosphere of self-reflection is felt within the Democratic Party of Korea due to the death of a firefighter following Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae's remark that "firefighting finances are a straw."
It is a natural responsibility of politicians to commemorate the sacrifices of firefighters who died in the line of duty to protect the safety and lives of the people.
The problem is that Governor Chu previously mentioned the budget for firefighting-related policies as an expense that would burden the finances, so angry public opinion is directed at the entire ruling party.
This appears to be why the Democratic Party apologized before Governor Chu.
On the 16th, the Democratic Party said in a comment by spokesperson Lee Yong-woo, "We sincerely apologize to the firefighters and their families who were hurt by the expressions used by Governor Chu."
Representative Kim Min-seok also said in a press notice the next day, "On behalf of the party, I would like to offer a deep apology to the firefighters and citizens who were hurt by the remarks of the party's provincial governor."
It can be interpreted in the same context that President Lee Jae-myung visited the funeral home of a firefighter who died on the same day and paid his condolences in person.
While various opinion polls show that public sentiment has turned against the party office, there is also a sense of crisis that Governor Chu's remarks could once again plunge the ruling party into a quagmire.
One senior lawmaker pointed out in a phone call on the 18th, "Governor Chu's remarks came at the worst possible time."
Rep. Lee said, “The opposition party will continue to attack, but there is no way to get there without getting hit,” and analyzed, “The Democratic Party’s plan is even more twisted.”
As the party was cornered like this, some party members called for Governor Chu to be disciplined.
'All party members and supporters who want emergency disciplinary action against Governor Chu and other solidarity petitioners' are accepting consent to the solidarity petition for Governor Chu's emergency disciplinary action online.
They claimed, “Governor Chu caused the Gyeonggi provincial government to collapse by drastically reducing the social welfare budget,” and “He committed an act against the government as well as the Democratic Party by making absurd remarks about ‘fiscal straws.’”
In response to this move, spokesperson Lee Yong-woo met with reporters at the National Assembly on the 18th and said, "Governor Chu also apologized, and I think it is necessary to focus on the essence." He added, "It is difficult to tell (now) what the follow-up measures (such as disciplinary action) will be."
Spokesperson Lee said, “What is important is that, as the ruling party, we take responsibility for fundamental issues related to firefighting finances,” and added, “We will focus more on providing solutions to chronic problems in the budget phase.”
Some in the party are saying that in this situation, issues such as the impeachment of Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, which the leadership is considering, should be stopped.
Another leading lawmaker emphasized in a phone call, "We need to carefully monitor the flow of public sentiment," and added, "Now, we need to apologize for worsening people's livelihoods and avoid making unreasonable claims."
On the other hand, a member of the metropolitan area said, "The issue of Supreme Court Justice Cho's impeachment is different from Governor Chu's remarks," and "It is not an issue that is directly related to the driving force of reform."
On the other hand, some say that Representative Kim should use this opportunity to establish discipline within the party that has collapsed.
A first-term lawmaker said, “The decline in approval ratings was due to infighting,” and “Governor Chu’s remarks will serve as an excuse to tighten discipline.”
