Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok said on the 19th that the party had asked Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae in various ways to apologize for her remarks on fire service funding.
Speaking on the party's official YouTube channel "Minti07" that morning, Kim said the party had conveyed the request through several channels. "Separately from that, because she is a public official belonging to our party, we judged it would be better for the party, and for the person representing the party, to offer an apology," he said.
Asked about calls for disciplinary action against Choo raised by some within the party and on the bulletin board for dues-paying members, as well as the direction of any follow-up steps, Kim said the party had already made its position clear. "The party asked early on that she apologize publicly and formally," he said. "What matters most now is reading the public mood carefully and doing everything we can until the public's anger subsides."
Kim had publicly expressed regret on Choo's behalf during a visit to Busan last week, following a statement by the party spokesperson. The previous night, he visited the funeral hall for the late fire lieutenant Kim Jin-seok, who died in the line of duty at a fire in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province.
On support for firefighters killed on duty and measures to prevent further deaths, Kim pledged continued improvements to safety equipment and gear, along with expanded mental health support including treatment for trauma. "We will keep pushing for support measures at the National Assembly level, regardless of party lines, including the introduction of research into physical artificial intelligence that helps keep people from having to enter hazardous environments themselves," he said.
Kim also said the government should maintain its policy of openness amid the dispute over President Lee Jae-myung's decision to broadcast Cabinet meetings live.
"In the broader scheme of things, the opening up of state affairs and the real-time delivery of agenda items is irreversible," he said. "Since the structure allows Cabinet members to fully express views for and against, maintaining the policy of openness is desirable." He added that the party plans to broadcast reports on party affairs once its leadership appointments are complete.