"Prison Meals Are Much Better"... Frustration Over Meager Food Trays for Soldiers in COVID-19 Quarantine

Controversy Over Poor Meals for Army COVID-19 Quarantined Soldiers
Quarantined Soldier's Older Brother "Lost for Words" in Anger

Another controversy over poor-quality meals has erupted in an army unit. Just two days ago, an army officer expressed gratitude for a hearty meal served on the first day of the hottest period of summer (Chobok), but now the 'heartwarming story' has been overshadowed by another dispute over the meager menu.

On the 13th, a story was posted on the military-related tip channel on Facebook, "We Deliver on Behalf of the Army Training Center (Yukdaejeon)," by Mr. A, who introduced himself as the older brother of a soldier currently quarantined in the unit after testing positive for COVID-19.

The minced meat on the tray, which was served with instant seaweed soybean paste soup, looks like it has been bitten into, but it was actually cut in half from the beginning.
[Photo by Facebook 'Yukgun Hunryeonso Daesin Jeonhaedeurimnida']

Mr. A said, "I am reporting this because the meals my younger brother received during his five-day quarantine were so poor that I wanted to complain and hear others' opinions," and he shared two photos.

The instant seaweed soybean paste soup was served with minced meat that appeared to have been bitten into, but it was actually cut in half from the start. Upon seeing the other photo, Mr. A said, "I was speechless when I saw a large side dish container with just a little ketchup and a small compartment, which should have held ketchup, filled with Donggeurangttaeng (Korean-style meat patties)."

In another photo, a large side dish container held only a small amount of ketchup, while the small compartment meant for ketchup contained Donggeurangttaeng.
[Photo by Facebook 'Yukgun Hunryeonso Daesin Jeonhaedeurimnida']

Both trays contained only three side dishes including kimchi, and the portions were far too small for an adult male, with no soup or minced meat served in halves.

Controversy Continues Even After the 'Military Poor Meal' Scandal

What infuriates netizens most about the military meal photos posted on Yukdaejeon this time is the stark contrast with the meal photos posted on the 11th by Army Officer B, who works at the Korea Army Officer Candidate School (Hakgunkyo).

At that time, the tray in Officer B’s photo featured a well-prepared seafood hot pot and delicious side dishes. The watermelon punch served as a palate cleanser was so impressive that it drew admiration from viewers. However, the meal photos of Mr. A’s younger brother look pitiful in comparison.

What netizens are most outraged about the military meal photos posted for the 육대전 this time is that they starkly contrast with the meal photos posted on the 11th by Army officer B, who serves at the Army Cadet Military School (Hakgun-gyo).
[Photo source=Facebook 'Delivered on behalf of the Army Training Center']

Mr. A appealed, "My brother said he just has to endure until his quarantine ends, but I wrote this because such poor meals might be served not only to my brother but also to the brothers and children of those reading this. I have endured with the mindset of 'in the military, you do as you’re told,' but I believe my brother should not be treated like this."

The unit acknowledged that such meals were provided and promised to prevent recurrence.

A unit official stated, "We confirmed that meals served to quarantined soldiers due to recent COVID-19 cases did not meet the standard portion size (one serving per person). Going forward, the unit will continuously monitor the meal situation and improve the system to provide quality meals to quarantined soldiers. We will also re-examine and supplement overall living conditions to ensure similar incidents do not happen again, with command attention focused on this."

Meanwhile, the military has been striving to improve meal quality since the 2021 'military poor meal' scandal. Recently, meals like the 'Chobok meal' featuring a whole chicken have attracted attention, suggesting that the military’s efforts are bearing fruit. However, as another case of poor-quality meals has surfaced, netizens have launched sharp criticism.

One netizen commented, "How can the meals for soldiers defending the country be worse than prison meals?" and added, "Is this really the South Korean military in 2023?"