Passenger Eating Lunchbox on Subway Commute: "Almost Daily Meals with Changing Menus"

No Ban on Eating and Drinking in Subway
But Carrying Foul-Smelling Items Can Be Restricted

A woman eating a meal while taking out a lunchbox and emitting food smells on the subway during her commute has been captured, sparking controversy.

On the 19th, JTBC's 'Sageon Banjang' reported a witness account of a woman calmly having breakfast on the subway during her commute. The report states that this was witnessed on the Seohae Line train heading towards Ilsan in the metropolitan area on the 16th.

Eating on the subway during rush hour [Image source=JTBC Broadcast]

The informant, Mr. A, said he has frequently seen a woman taking out and eating a lunchbox on the subway during his recent commutes and also released related footage. In the video, a woman is seen taking out a lunchbox and eating food with her hands. The woman is wearing plastic gloves on her hands and occasionally looks around as if checking her surroundings. However, the movement of her hand picking up food does not stop.

Regarding this, Mr. A expressed, "Eating on the subway causes food smells to spread," and added, "This was not the first time. Some days she eats bread, other days vegetables, and she almost eats on the subway every day. She is not even using the subway alone, so I wish she would eat at home."

Can the woman's behavior, which Mr. A found uncomfortable, be restrained? Under current law, there is no regulation prohibiting eating on the subway. However, the Seoul Metro Corporation's travel transportation terms state that if a passenger carries items that cause discomfort such as unpleasant smells or uncleanliness to other passengers, measures such as restraint, refusal of transportation, or requiring the passenger to leave the station during the trip can be taken.