Rep. Boo Seung-chan of the Democratic Party has apologized for saying that fire service budgets "suck up" public finances, a remark that drew widespread criticism.
"I bow my head in apology," Boo wrote in a Facebook post on the 20th. "I sincerely apologize to firefighters and to the public who were hurt by my remarks at yesterday's parliamentary audit of Gyeonggi Province."
"As a politician who bears a heavy responsibility even for a single word, I failed to show the careful conduct the public expects," he said. "As someone who once wore a uniform, I deeply regret that I failed to give due respect to those who are devoting themselves to protecting the lives and safety of the people at this very moment."
He added that he would "take the lead in strengthening the state's responsibility so that firefighters can carry out their duties safely and have their dedication properly respected."
At the parliamentary audit conducted by the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee at the Gyeonggi provincial government office on the 19th, Boo defended Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae's earlier remark describing fire services as a "straw" draining finances. "Of course she made a big mistake, but she apologized sufficiently," he said. "About 90% of the fire service budget is personnel costs, and local governments bear that burden, so isn't it really sucking up their finances?"
Boo was pointing out that local governments still cover most of the funding even though firefighters were converted to national civil servant status in 2020. But critics said the comment was inappropriate given the strong backlash already triggered by Choo's remark. Opposition lawmakers also protested fiercely, bringing the audit to a halt at one point.
Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok issued Boo a stern warning and ordered the party's central ethics tribunal to launch an investigation on its own authority. Appearing on the party's YouTube program "Minty 07" the same day, Kim bowed his head again, saying, "I am sorry once again that matters have arisen that will worry the public."