Rising Military Meal Costs Again... Increasing Food Waste Every Year

Mid-term Plan Increases Military Meal Allowance by 15,000 Won
Food Waste Rises, Unrealistic Soldier Preferences

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited the 202nd Brigade of the 72nd Division in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province on the 27th and served food on a meal tray. Photo by the National Assembly Press Corps

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Although the Ministry of National Defense raises the meal allowance for military personnel every year, food waste is actually increasing. There is criticism that the preferences of the soldiers are not being met.

On the 28th, the Ministry of National Defense announced the "2023~2027 Defense Mid-term Plan," which includes plans for military force construction and operation for the next five years until 2027. The required budget during this period is estimated at 331.4 trillion KRW, with an average annual growth rate of 6.8%. Among the funds, the defense capability improvement budget is estimated at 107.4 trillion KRW (average annual growth rate of 10.5%), and the operational budget is 224 trillion KRW (average annual growth rate of 6.8%).

According to the mid-term plan, the basic meal allowance per soldier will be gradually increased from the current 13,000 KRW to 15,000 KRW by 2025. However, even within the military, this increase is criticized as a measure without proper countermeasures. This is because soldiers are throwing all their meals into the food waste bins.

The amount of food waste generated by the military was 81,503 tons in 2017. However, it increased to 105,168 tons in 2019 and reached 109,528 tons last year. This year, it is expected to exceed 110,000 tons.

Food waste that used to be taken by farms for livestock feed is now being refused due to concerns about viral pig diseases and others. The number of farms collecting food waste was 473 locations (17,305 tons) in 2017, but dropped to only 171 locations (9,563 tons) in 2020.

As farms refuse to collect food waste, the amount processed by general consignment companies has increased. The processing cost per unit for consignment companies has also risen, causing the expenses for food waste disposal to exceed the originally budgeted amount. In 2018, 6.8 billion KRW was budgeted for food waste disposal, but 11.07 billion KRW was spent. In 2020, 10 billion KRW was budgeted, but 14.7 billion KRW was used. The military is likely to spend more than the 14.3 billion KRW budgeted for this year.

Some voices suggest reducing the food supplied by veterans' organizations through direct contracts. It is said that soldiers are being forced to eat food with low preference. Veterans' organizations such as Pyeonghwa Yongsachon supply seasoned laver, Boeun Yongsachon supplies ham slices and chicken nuggets, and the Sangigun-gyeonghoe supplies kimchi varieties every year.

A military official said, "Since meals are prepared annually with fixed ingredients and standards, soldiers' preferences have declined," adding, "We plan to reduce food waste through various policies."

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