Controversy Over People Power Party Lawmaker's "Doesn't a Fire Break Out in Honam?" Remark... Gwangju Democratic Party Demands Apology and Disciplinary Action

Disgraceful Remark Caught from Female Lawmaker's Seat During Wildfire Relief Bill Vote
Kim Hyun: "The Main Culprit Must Confess and Make a Full Apology"
Jeong Jinwook: "Disgraceful Remark Made the Moment the Bill Passed... We Will Find Out Who Is Responsible"

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the expanded executive meeting held at the National Assembly on September 26, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The Gwangju branch of the Democratic Party of Korea has condemned the remark made during the National Assembly plenary session, "Doesn't a fire break out in Honam?" as a "disgraceful comment mocking disasters," demanding a public apology from the People Power Party and disciplinary action against the lawmaker responsible.

On September 26, the Gwangju branch of the Democratic Party issued a statement, saying, "A remark that seems to wish for a disaster to occur in Honam is tantamount to abandoning one's qualifications as a lawmaker," and added, "The People Power Party must immediately apologize and impose the highest level of disciplinary action." The statement continued, "Honam is the root and sacred ground of democracy. Turning disasters and suffering into subjects of political strife is an anti-democratic act."

The controversial remark was made during the voting process for the "Special Act on Relief and Support for Super-Large Wildfire Victims in North Gyeongsang, South Gyeongsang, and Ulsan" at the National Assembly plenary session the previous day. When National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik asked, "Has everyone voted?", a female lawmaker was heard saying, "Doesn't a fire break out in Honam?" Laughter was also captured immediately afterward.

Democratic Party lawmakers immediately voiced their outrage. Assemblyman Kim Hyun wrote on social media, "Who is the main culprit behind the disgraceful comment, 'Doesn't a fire break out in Honam?' in the plenary session?" and demanded, "Confess and make a full apology." Assemblyman Jeong Jinwook also stated, "Such a disgraceful comment was made the moment the wildfire support bill passed. We will find out who is responsible."