Outsourced Military Meals: 17.2 Billion Won in Imported Ingredients Falsely Labeled as Domestic Over Two Years
Published 22 Sep.2025 10:10(KST)
Suppliers Falsely Labeled Pork, Chicken, and Beef as Domestic Products
Repeated False Country of Origin Labeling to Gain “Domestic Product Points”
Seo Samsuk: “Government-Level Sanctions and Practical Measures Needed”
Since the pilot project for outsourcing military meals to private contractors was fully implemented in 2023, a large number of suppliers have been caught over the past two years for misrepresenting imported ingredients as domestic products, raising concerns about the food safety of service members.
On September 22, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Seo Samsuk (Yeongam, Muan, and Shinan in South Jeolla Province) analyzed the “Status of Country of Origin Violations in Military Meal Supplies” submitted by the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service. The analysis revealed that, during this period, the amount of military supplies violating country of origin regulations reached 2.1 million kilograms, with the total value of violations amounting to as much as 17.2 billion won.
The majority of the violations involved meat, which is the most preferred food among service members. Falsified country of origin labeling for beef, pork, and chicken accounted for 2.09 million kilograms and 17 billion won, making up 99% of all violations. In addition, violations were also found in tea products (400 kilograms worth 200 million won) and vegetables (150 kilograms).
One of the five suppliers caught, referred to as Company A, is still participating in the pilot project for outsourcing military meals to private contractors. Since being selected as a contractor for a military unit in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province in February last year, Company A has been responsible for providing meals to thousands of service members at four Navy and Air Force units.
Such violations regarding country of origin have been detected repeatedly every year since the “Military Meal Outsourcing Pilot Project” was fully implemented in 2023. Industry insiders point out that the core issue lies in the practice of falsely labeling products as domestic to gain extra points during the contractor selection and contract maintenance process, while actually using cheaper imported ingredients to maximize profits. As a result, there are growing calls for strengthening transparency and overhauling the management and supervision system throughout the military meal supply chain.
Seo emphasized, “If military meals, which are directly linked to the health of service members devoted to national security, are filled with low-quality ingredients disguised as domestic products, it could undermine trust in the military supply system.” He added, “The government must swiftly establish effective measures that not only impose strong sanctions but also encourage the supply of domestic ingredients.”
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