Controversy Over '5000 Won Police Meal' Worse Than Prison Food for Violent Criminals

Allegations of Forced Meal Ticket Sales
Police Apologize, Saying "Preparation Was Inadequate"

A photo of a breakfast menu served at a police station cafeteria in Seoul was posted on an anonymous online community, sparking a flood of criticism from netizens. The menu appeared meager for the price of 5,000 won, and the meal tickets were reportedly effectively 'forced sales.'

On the 5th, an anonymous online community for office workers called 'Blind' posted a message titled "Morning menu at Seoul OO Police Station." [Photo by online community 'Blind']

On the 5th, an anonymous office worker posted a message titled "Seoul OO Police Station Breakfast Menu" on the anonymous workplace community 'Blind.'

The author, Mr. A, wrote, "The price is 5,000 won, and nothing is missing," adding, "Everyone, eat breakfast and stay strong." He attached one photo. In the photo, two morning buns with potato salad inside are visible. There is also a stick-type strawberry jam and a bowl of corn soup.

Since he said nothing was missing, it is interpreted that the tray in the photo represents the standard portion served for breakfast. Even considering rising prices, it is hard to see this as a 5,000-won meal from a police station cafeteria.

Mr. A also stated, "Employees working at the station are forced to purchase meal tickets every month."

Netizens who saw this story could not hide their outrage. Many expressed disbelief that a government agency would serve meals like this despite charging 5,000 won.

One netizen commented, "Prisoners eating taxpayer-funded meals in prison eat better than the police," gaining sympathy. In fact, prison menus are known to be much better than the meal shown in the photo.

There were also criticisms regarding the forced purchase of meal tickets. If this claim is true, many agree that an investigation is necessary.

The post has since been deleted.

Police: "It was somewhat inadequate... We apologize to the staff"

The photo in the post uploaded by Mr. A shows two morning buns with potato salad inside. There is also a stick-type strawberry jam and a bowl containing corn soup.
[Photo by online community 'Blind']

The problematic breakfast was revealed to have been served at the Gangbuk Police Station in Seoul.

As the controversy spread, the Gangbuk Police Station explained, "Since we prepared a free special lunch of potato bone soup to celebrate the completion of the police station remodeling, breakfast preparation was somewhat lacking," adding, "Due to the nature of the cafeteria menu being planned weekly, there seemed to be some variation." They also said they apologized to the staff afterward.

Regarding the forced purchase of meal tickets, they explained, "Out of 31 police stations in Seoul, 28 operate their own cafeterias. Since surplus revenue is used to cover staff wages and retirement benefits, employees voluntarily purchase about 10 meal tickets worth 5,000 won each per month with their consent."

"Does it make sense that the diet of police catching criminals is worse than that of detention centers?"

SBS entertainment show 'No Entry Except Authorized Personnel' featured a detention center meal.
[Photo by Ministry of Justice]

Some citizens criticize the inadequacy by comparing the menu of detention centers housing violent criminals with the police meal.

In June, a menu from a detention center in Busan housing violent criminals who committed serious crimes was revealed, sparking controversy over its 'luxurious menu.'

The detention center serves three meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Side dishes include beef rice cake soup, Vienna sausage stew, pork cutlet, dumplings, jajang (black bean sauce), curry, king oyster mushroom soup, vegetable chicken stew, and various other dishes. Snacks such as cream soup, bread, salad, and ice cream are also provided.

The detention center houses individuals such as Jeong Yujeong (23), who murdered a peer female stranger, dismembered the body, and disposed of it, and the so-called 'Busan spinning kick man,' who assaulted and sexually assaulted a woman he met for the first time.

It is not only this detention center. In 2021, the detention center menu of the stepmother involved in the so-called 'Jeong-in abuse and murder' case was leaked online, drawing criticism from the Ministry of Justice and correctional institutions.

At that time, netizens expressed outrage that heinous criminals were provided with better meals than necessary. Since correctional facilities are operated with national budgets, comments such as "Waste of taxes" and "Not much different from military meals" flooded the discussion.

Additionally, the daily food cost per inmate at Seoul Nambu Detention Center was known to be about 4,700 won, including staple food, side dishes, and fuel costs, but the menu appeared much better than expected, prompting further criticism.