Lim Ki-keun, Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, stated on the 21st that there were “inappropriate aspects” regarding remarks by ruling party officials about the “firefighting finance straw.”
During a parliamentary audit at the National Policy Committee on the morning of the same day, Lim addressed comments made by Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae and Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Boo Seung-chan regarding firefighting finances. He said, “Their remarks seemed intended to express the difficulties of firefighting finances, but there were excessive aspects.”
Earlier, during a parliamentary audit on the 13th, Governor Choo sparked controversy by stating, “Firefighting seems to be the most troublesome financial straw,” while referencing the burden of local finances on firefighting budgets. On the 19th, during a National Assembly audit, Representative Boo criticized the structure where local governments bear most of the firefighting budget, asking, “Isn’t this truly sucking finances dry?”
On the same day, Minister Lim mentioned, “The firefighting budget is funded by a mix of national and local funds,” adding, “Adjusting the ratio requires careful consideration from multiple perspectives.”
He also stated, “I fundamentally agree that both the central and local governments should jointly improve treatment for firefighters and expand firefighting equipment,” and emphasized, “The state will take action.”
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