Buffet-Style Meals for the Military... Is It Possible? [Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Although the Ministry of National Defense announced that it would significantly increase the number of cooks and raise the basic meal allowance by 25.1% as follow-up measures to the substandard meal scandal, it remains uncertain whether meal improvements will actually be realized.

On the 31st, the Ministry of National Defense stated in a briefing to the National Assembly's Defense Committee, "We will actively promote measures to reduce the workload of cooks by expanding the introduction of processed and semi-processed ingredients, increasing the number of nutritionists and civilian cooks by about 940, and utilizing meal support personnel."

Starting in the second half of the year, the Ministry said it would increase the quantity of preferred meats and processed foods for soldiers and provide preferred foods such as 'cupbap' for isolated soldiers to enable alternative meals, adding, "We are closely consulting with related ministries to secure the budget necessary for increasing quantities and purchasing preferred foods."

To this end, the Ministry of National Defense also officially announced on the same day a plan to raise next year's basic meal allowance to 11,000 won, a 25.1% increase from this year. This increase is higher than the previously announced 10,500 won (19.5% increase).

In particular, starting next year, the Ministry plans to move away from the 'one meal, four side dishes' format and consider special menus, brunch, and simple buffet-style meals. Additionally, after evaluation by a professional institution of the civilian consignment pilot project currently being implemented at the Army Non-Commissioned Officer Academy's soldier cafeteria, the Ministry plans to consider expanding the project to all branches of the military from next year.

However, there is serious distrust inside and outside the military regarding the controversy over excessive quarantine measures and human rights violations at the Nonsan Army Training Center.

At a subordinate unit of the Army's 51st Division, the lunch menu provided during a visit by National Assembly Defense Committee members from the People Power Party on the 26th was identified as including 'seafood doenjang jjigae, pork belly, lettuce wraps, and napa cabbage kimchi,' with a cost of about 8,000 won per meal. This is approximately 2.7 times the average 2,930 won per meal provided to soldiers. The unit provides special menus once a month, and coincidentally, the visit by the lawmakers happened to coincide with the special menu day. The Army explained that the visiting unit and date were selected after prior coordination with the lawmakers' offices, considering time and movement routes. However, the visiting lawmakers reportedly were not properly informed in advance about the special menu.

For this reason, attention was focused even before the lawmakers' visit. After the visit, criticism arose that the 'fully packed meal trays' shown in photos, which the unit claimed were 'per person portions,' were merely for show. Ultimately, the lawmakers ended up inspecting an 'irrelevant' menu on site, leading to criticism that the very purpose of inspecting substandard meals was undermined.

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