"Prices Increased but Quality Declines"...Harsh Criticism of Seoul National University Cafeteria

Reasons for Price Increase: Students Express Complaints Over 1000 Won Hike

On the 19th, meal kits are being sold at the Seoul National University Student Union Building. The Seoul National University Cooperative operates by providing sales space to Pulmuone in exchange for a commission. Prices range from 4,000 to 6,000 won.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Seoul National University raised the prices of student cafeteria (hak-sik) menus last April, but since then, students have expressed complaints that the quality of meals has actually declined.

In April, the cooperative (Saenghyeop) that operates and manages the school cafeterias on the Seoul National University campus raised the prices of hak-sik, which were sold for 3,000 to 6,000 won, by 1,000 won each, citing reasons such as increased deficits due to rising prices.

Students voiced various criticisms about the meal price increase, saying "the quality has decreased compared to the price hike" and "we should boycott hak-sik." In response, the cooperative announced that 25% of the increased sales revenue would be reflected in improving meal quality.

Additionally, the cooperative explained that the remaining amount of the increased sales revenue would be used to cover deficits. They also stated that they would consider plans to sell meal kits or lunch boxes at affordable prices. Accordingly, Seoul National University reopened the cafeteria on the basement first floor of the student union building, which had been closed due to COVID-19, starting from the 20th, and began selling meal kits.

However, the public opinion among the actual purchasers, the students, remains cold.

Kwon (24), a student in the College of Engineering at Seoul National University, said in an interview with Yonhap News, "I am really angry that the quality of meals has worsened even though the prices have gone up," adding, "There are few cafeterias, long lines, and the food tastes bad, so I end up using external vendor cafeterias in the College of Engineering instead of those run by the cooperative."

In response to the ongoing controversy, a Seoul National University official explained, "(By reducing the frequency of expensive menu items) the actual average price increase is less than 1,000 won, and even after the increase, most menu prices remain between 4,000 and 5,000 won."

They also explained that the "1,000 won meal" maintained by Seoul National University receives subsidies exceeding 250 million won annually.

Seoul National University stated, "The value of the cooperative lies in providing quality ingredients and healthy meals such as low-calorie and low-sodium diets."