"Bean Sprout Soup Without Bean Sprouts, a Piece of Kimchi" Military Followed by Middle School Poor Meal Controversy

Si Education Office "Prompt On-site Investigation, Establishment of Recurrence Prevention Measures"

Assemblyman Seo Hwioong of Ulsan City Council revealed on the 24th the lunchbox meal supplied to a middle school in Ulsan [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Choyoung] Amid recent controversies over poor-quality meals provided by the Ministry of National Defense to isolated soldiers, an expos? has emerged revealing that a middle school in Ulsan also served meals of a seriously substandard level.

On the 24th, Ulsan City Council member Seo Hwioong raised a written question to Superintendent No Okhee, stating, "Recently, the side dishes in lunchboxes provided to a certain middle school in Ulsan during COVID-19 were extremely inadequate," and urged, "The City Office of Education must devise countermeasures."

Council member Seo pointed out, "Looking at the condition of the lunchboxes at the problematic school, it was hard to believe they were meant for growing students," adding, "The soybean sprout soup was barely soup at all, with almost no soybean sprouts, so thin that the bottom of the bowl was visible."

He continued, "The side dishes consisted of just one piece of kimchi and a few slices of pickled radish; the pork cutlet was a cheap frozen product that was simply thawed and served dry, and the spaghetti noodles were dry and cold without any moisture," urging, "The Office of Education should promptly conduct an on-site investigation and quickly improve the students' lunchbox meals."

Seo attributed the cause of the poor-quality lunchboxes to contractual issues between the school and the supplier. He analyzed, "The initial contract price for lunchbox supply was too low, and the school unilaterally reduced the supply quantity, resulting in substandard meals."

He emphasized, "To prevent poor-quality meals, it is essential to swiftly identify problems such as school contract relationships and undertake fundamental institutional reforms," and requested, "The Office of Education, which manages the schools, should prepare countermeasures and provide a response."

In response, the Ulsan City Office of Education explained, "School meals are principally provided through direct management, but when lunchboxes must be used, the principle is same-day preparation and same-day serving, adhering to the nutritional standards of the 'School Meal Nutrition Management Guidelines.'"

They added, "Regarding this school, we will conduct a prompt on-site investigation to thoroughly examine the entire process of contracts and deliveries, establish measures to prevent recurrence, and guide all schools to ensure that poor-quality meals do not occur."