Gyeonggi Provincial Party, the national power, "Gyeonggi Province reduces the purchase of fire trucks and cuts the memorial budget"

On the 16th, the Gyeonggi Provincial Party of the People Power Party demanded, in relation to the controversy over Governor Choo Mi-ae's 'firefighting, financial straw' remark, "Apologise to fire officials and take responsibility for safety with a realistic budget and policy."

The provincial party issued a statement on this day, pointing out, "As Gyeonggi Province prepared an additional budget, it reduced the budget for reinforcing firefighting vehicles by 2.65 billion won and reduced the vehicle purchase plan from 103 to 78," and added, "The entire budget for memorial events for firefighters who died in the line of duty by 100 million won was also reduced."

He added, “In the review report (on budget cuts), the provincial council was concerned about delays in replacing old firefighting vehicles and reduced investment in on-site response capabilities.”

The provincial party argued, “Governor Chu should directly apologize to fire officials for his ‘financial straw’ remarks,” and added, “In addition, the final fire budget details of the supplementary budget should be clearly disclosed, and supplementary measures in response to the reduction in vehicle purchase plans and plans to expand on-site safety investment should be presented.”

He also emphasized, “A visit to the Bucheon fire scene and words of comfort are not enough,” and “We must prove our responsibility with a realistic budget and policies that protect the safety of firefighters.”

Previously, on the 13th, during the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee's audit of Gyeonggi Province's state administration, Governor Chu caused controversy by mentioning the budget for firefighters, who are government officials, in relation to the fiscal crisis, saying, "Firefighting is like a fiscal straw that causes the biggest headache."

Governor Chu visited the site of the Bucheon factory fire where eight people, including six firefighters, were injured, and said he would make every effort to treat and recover the injured firefighters, but did not make any special comments regarding the 'fiscal straw' remark.