Why did the Democratic Party of Korea warn Choo Mi-ae and Boo Seung-chan over their remarks about firefighters?

Choo described firefighting as the biggest “headache” and “fiscal drain” for local governments during a parliamentary audit. Boo later defended her, saying she had sufficiently apologized and that firefighting services drained local finances, prompting the party to warn both of them.

How did Choo Mi-ae respond to criticism of her remarks about firefighters?

Choo apologized on Saturday, but her apology drew further criticism after she said she was offering it because people wanted her to. She apologized again Monday, then met firefighters’ union representatives the following day and pledged to work to improve their safety and working conditions.

What did the Democratic Party of Korea say its warnings over the firefighters controversy were intended to achieve?

DPK spokesperson Cho Gye-won said the warnings were intended to urge those involved to reflect seriously and prevent similar incidents from recurring. He also apologized to firefighters and the public on the party’s behalf.

DPK issues warnings against Gyeonggi governor, lawmaker over remarks seen as disparaging firefighters

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Summary

The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) decided Wednesday to warn Gyeonggi Province Gov. Choo Mi-ae and Rep. Boo Seung-chan over remarks deemed insulting to firefighters. Choo had called firefighting the biggest “headache” and “fiscal drain” for local governments during a parliamentary audit last Tuesday. The party said the warnings were intended to prompt reflection and prevent similar incidents, and apologized to firefighters and the public. Choo had apologized several times and pledged to improve firefighters’ safety and working conditions.

Key Facts

DPK spokesperson Cho Gye-won announced the decision after a closed-door meeting of the party’s supreme council.
Boo defended Choo during a parliamentary audit Monday, saying she had sufficiently apologized and that firefighting services drained local government finances.
Firefighters have been classified as central government employees since 2020.
Choo’s first apology, on Saturday, drew criticism after she said she was apologizing because people wanted her to.
Choo met with representatives of the firefighters’ union the day after her second apology on Monday.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 21, 2026 11:08 am KST

Kim Min-seok, center, leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, speaks during a meeting of the party's supreme council at the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) decided Wednesday to issue warnings against Gyeonggi Province Gov. Choo Mi-ae and one of its lawmakers over controversial remarks deemed insulting to firefighters.

Choo came under fire after describing the firefighting service as the biggest "headache" and "fiscal drain" for local governments during a parliamentary audit last Tuesday.

"(The warnings) are intended to urge those involved to seriously reflect on themselves and prevent similar incidents from recurring," DPK spokesperson Cho Gye-won told reporters after the decision was reached during a closed-door meeting of the party's supreme council.

"We apologize once again to the firefighters and the public," he said.

The DPK also decided to issue a warning against Rep. Boo Seung-chan, who defended Choo during another parliamentary audit Monday, saying she had sufficiently apologized and that the firefighting services were indeed draining local government finances despite firefighters being classified as central government employees since 2020.

Choo offered an apology on Saturday, but her apology drew further criticism for appearing to lack sincerity as she said she was offering the apology because people wanted her to. She was speaking after paying her respects to a firefighter who died while responding to a factory fire in Bucheon, west of Seoul.

Choo apologized again Monday and met with representatives of the firefighters' union the following day to offer another apology, pledging efforts to improve firefighters' safety and working conditions.

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