Kang Hoon-sik Chairs Senior Aides' Meeting on the 16th
"Chicken Chains Secretly Raise Prices by Reducing Portion Sizes"
On October 16, Kang Hoon-sik, Chief Presidential Secretary, instructed officials to devise measures to eradicate indiscriminate overseas trips by local council members and inappropriate preferential treatment for retired high-ranking officials at government agencies or public institutions.
According to Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong, Kang made these remarks during a senior aides' meeting, as conveyed in a written briefing on the same day.
Kang stated, "Although a system for reviewing travel plans has been introduced, there still appear to be limitations. If an overseas trip for leisure purposes is identified, we must effectively improve the review system, for example, by introducing a one-strike-out policy that restricts all accompanying local council members from traveling abroad during their term."
He continued, "In cases of preferential treatment for former officials, this can lead to a decline in service quality and ultimately harm many citizens. Therefore, the employment review system must also be fundamentally reformed to eradicate such preferential treatment." He emphasized, "Review the wrongful practices and chronic problems in our society, and report back with fundamental solutions."
Kang Hoon-sik: "Chicken Chains Secretly Raise Prices by Reducing Portion Sizes"
Kang also addressed consumer price measures, specifically pointing out the so-called "shrinkflation" phenomenon. He analyzed, "Some franchise chicken chains are pretending to freeze prices while actually reducing portion sizes or switching to cheaper ingredients, in effect raising prices through deceptive means."
Kang further noted, "Unlike bread or instant noodles, chicken is not subject to mandatory weight labeling, which enables these covert price increases. Such practices-raising prices deceptively without improving food quality or service-should not occur."
He then urged, "In consultation with the Fair Trade Commission, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, quickly establish fundamental measures to prevent shrinkflation."
Meanwhile, he stated, "In non-metropolitan and depopulated areas, there are many places where people want to have and raise children but do not even have access to a proper postpartum care center. Develop plans to expand public postpartum care centers in these regions to remove barriers that hinder childbirth."
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