A Lawmaker Inspecting Military Substandard Meals Finds His Tray Piled High with 'Samgyeopsal'... "No Intention to Deceive"

Photos submitted last month alleging poor-quality meals provided to isolated soldiers (above) and photos of the meals served during an on-site inspection conducted by National Defense Committee members from the People Power Party at a subordinate unit of the Army's 51st Division on the 26th (below)
[Photo by Facebook capture]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Amid ongoing controversies sparked by recent reports of poor-quality meals in the military, a National Assembly member’s visit to the base for an on-site inspection drew public outrage after a special meal, seemingly far from 'poor quality,' was served.

As concerns over substandard military meals grew, on the 26th, members of the National Defense Committee from the People Power Party (Kang Daesik, Lee Chaeik, Han Kiho, Shin Wonsik) visited a unit under the Army’s 51st Division for an on-site inspection. The 51st Division is known as the first unit where reports of poor-quality meals were initially raised.

On that day, the meal menu disclosed by Assemblyman Lee Chaeik on Facebook included samgyeopsal (pork belly), seafood doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew), lettuce wraps, and napa cabbage kimchi. This was in stark contrast to the poor-quality meals previously exposed by soldiers.

This led to criticism that the military deliberately coordinated the politician’s visit schedule with the special meal provision, sparking accusations of a typical 'showcase.' Netizens responded with comments such as, "Would they serve the usual meals when a National Assembly member comes to inspect?" and "All men who have completed their service know the menu changes when high-ranking people visit." It was reported that the special meal served to the assembly members cost about 8,000 won, roughly three times the average price of 2,930 won per meal.

As the controversy grew, a netizen claiming to be a soldier from the unit posted on the Facebook page 'Delivering from the Army Training Center' that "the entire battalion has always paid close attention to meals and hygiene," adding, "Every last Wednesday of the month is Samgyeopsal Day, so we always eat samgyeopsal, and besides that, companies often grill samgyeopsal together."

Additionally, a military official from the unit explained to the media, "It just so happened that opposition party lawmakers visited on Samgyeopsal Day, and a special meal was served," clarifying, "There was absolutely no intention to deceive by making it seem like meals are always well-prepared." The official also stated that the unit visited by the lawmakers was not the one where the initial poor meal report was posted, but another unit under the same 51st Division.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.