During a National Assembly audit of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Boo Seung-chan, a member of the Democratic Party, sparked controversy with his remark that firefighters "suck up finances." On October 20, he apologized, stating, "I failed to demonstrate careful speech and behavior that aligns with the expectations of the public."
In a Facebook post, Boo expressed, "I sincerely apologize to the firefighters and citizens who were hurt by my comments during the audit in Gyeonggi Province. As a politician, I recognize that my words carry significant responsibility, and I did not meet the public's expectations for careful communication."
He added, "I deeply reflect on my failure to show the proper respect to those who are dedicated to ensuring the safety and lives of the public even at this moment. I will take the lead in strengthening the government's responsibility to ensure that firefighters can perform their duties safely and that their dedication is justly recognized."
Previously, during the audit, Boo defended Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, stating, "Since firefighters are primarily funded by local governments, isn't it true that they are really sucking up finances?" His comments drew backlash, with critics from both the opposition and some members of his own party deeming his remarks inappropriate.
In response to the growing public outcry, the Democratic Party leadership publicly apologized for Boo's comments. Representative Kim Min-seok appeared on the party's YouTube channel, "Minty 07," stating, "I apologize once again. Not just myself, but the entire party must take our words and actions seriously," and announced that he had issued a stern warning to Boo and ordered an ethics investigation.
Floor Leader Han Byeong-do also expressed his responsibility during a National Assembly audit response meeting, saying, "I feel a great sense of responsibility that the words and actions of Democratic Party officials have not met the expectations of the public. We must return to our original intentions."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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