The Democratic Party of Korea is showing signs of internal conflict over how to handle Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae, who sparked controversy with her “firefighting financial straw” remark. Some party members are calling for her expulsion, while others argue the leadership should at least issue a warning. However, her hardline supporters, who have cheered her aggressive statements toward prosecutors, are defending her, saying, “Hasn’t Governor Choo already apologized multiple times?” The party leadership has stated it will formally discuss the issue soon.
Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok has taken no significant action as of October 20, one week after Choo’s controversial remark. This contrasts with his immediate referral of Rep. Boo Seung-chan to the Ethics Committee the previous day for defending Choo during a parliamentary audit and blundering, “Aren’t firefighters sucking up finances left and right?” A source from the party leadership explained, “We’re cautious because disciplining Choo, who is supported by the party’s hardline base, could further split our already divided support. Especially since Leader Kim has recently faced back-to-back ‘power abuse’ scandals, disciplining Choo might trigger an explosive backlash from our base.”
Lawmakers report receiving floods of calls and messages demanding, “Discipline Choo Mi-ae” or “Expel her from the party.” On the day of the controversy, party member communities were flooded with posts like, “At least a disciplinary action is needed to prevent worsening public sentiment,” “The Democratic Party will collapse if this ends with a simple warning,” and “The party leader must make a decisive move now.” These members argue that Choo should be disciplined for defying Leader Kim’s request to refrain from publicly demanding President Lee Jae Myung withdraw the nomination of Kim Ji-yong, head of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, whom she labeled a “pro-Yoon prosecutor.”
Meanwhile, Choo’s Facebook page continued to receive comments like, “You’ve apologized enough” and “We’ll support you until the end.” Pro-government online communities also defended her, writing, “Choo’s remarks aren’t entirely wrong when viewed in context” and “Why is Kim Min-seok, who ‘cut off a singer’s performance’ and ‘parked in an emergency vehicle zone,’ disciplining others?” Leader Kim had interrupted a singer’s performance at a regional festival on October 15 to deliver remarks and faced backlash on October 18 when his vehicle parked in a restricted zone during the funeral of the late Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok, who died in a factory fire in Bucheon. Some party members criticized, “Leader Kim is oblivious to his own party burning while playing divisive politics.”
Democratic lawmakers are also divided. Senior Rep. Park Ji-won appeared on YouTube to say, “At minimum, the Supreme Council should issue a warning resolution against Choo.” Pro-Lee faction Rep. Lee Un-ju wrote on Facebook, “I’m deeply dismayed by Choo’s remark.” A capital-area lawmaker stated, “Choo delayed her apology for four days despite firefighter union backlash and only apologized reluctantly, saying, ‘I’ll apologize since you want it.’ This added fuel to the fire during a period of plummeting approval ratings—we can’t just move on.” Another lawmaker added, “If elections were imminent, Choo’s remark would cost us over 50 seats. It’s unacceptable to severely warn Boo Seung-chan for defending Choo while leaving her undisciplined.”
Conversely, some leadership members reportedly want to avoid escalating the issue after Choo’s tearful apology. A party source noted, “Leader Kim ordered an internal investigation in June into multi-billion-won consulting fees Choo paid during the local elections. Targeting her again could worsen the situation.” A capital-area lawmaker argued, “Choo is a metropolitan head elected by Gyeonggi residents, even if she’s a Democratic Party member. Can we really discipline her for one remark?”
For now, the party leadership is maintaining caution regarding disciplinary action. Leader Kim and floor leader Han Byung-do apologized again for Boo’s remark via the party’s YouTube channel and a public meeting but avoided addressing Choo’s case. Boo apologized the following day, saying, “I failed to exercise cautious speech.” The party also sent an official letter to elected officials urging, “Avoid remarks contrary to public sentiment.” The People Power Party pressured, “The Democratic Party must discipline Choo at the highest level.”
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