Complaint Case Against Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae Over "Firefighting Financial Straw" Remarks Transferred to Police…Serious Crimes Division Excludes from Investigation

A complaint case regarding Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae's controversial "firefighting financial straw" remarks has been transferred from the Serious Crimes Division to the police.

According to legal circles on the 28th, the Seoul Central Serious Crimes Division transferred a case in which civic group Committee for Citizens' Livelihood Solutions filed a complaint against Governor Choo on charges of abuse of authority, obstruction of duty, and defamation to the Gyeonggi Southern Police Agency on the 23rd.

The Committee submitted the complaint on the 19th, while the Serious Crimes Division assigned the case to the Anti-Corruption Investigation Bureau on the 21st before transferring it to police just two days later.

The Serious Crimes Division determined that the case does not constitute a serious crime subject to investigation under the Serious Crimes Division Act.

The controversy began during Gyeonggi Province's state audit at the National Assembly's Committee on Administration and Safety on the 13th. At that time, Governor Choo described firefighting as a "financial straw" while explaining the reality that local governments bear a substantial portion of personnel costs for firefighters who have transitioned to national service.

Subsequently, when asked to apologize at the funeral home of late Fire Captain Kim Jin-seok, who died in a factory fire in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province on the 17th, she said, "Since you wish for an apology, I sincerely apologize," sparking further controversy over the sincerity of her apology.

The Committee argued that Governor Choo's remarks and apology damaged the honor and pride of firefighters and urged investigation.

Governor Choo then apologized again during the state audit on the 19th and met directly with officials from the National Public Officials' Labor Union Firefighting Headquarters on the 20th, bowing her head. The Democratic Party also issued a warning to Governor Choo and Rep. Bu Seung-chan, who made related remarks, on the 21st.

While Governor Choo acknowledged the inappropriateness of her remarks, she has repeatedly emphasized the need to improve the firefighting financial structure.

Governor Choo stated that out of 1 trillion 197.3 billion won in personnel costs for Gyeonggi Province firefighters this year, national support accounts for only 7.7%, demanding expanded national financial responsibility. On the 25th as well, her remarks that she would resolve the firefighting finance issue even at the cost of political criticism sparked controversy.