"I, Who Have Done Nothing Wrong, Get to Eat Less"... National Liberation Day Prison 'Pizza and Chicken' Special Meal Sparks Debate [What Do You Think?]
- Input
- 2026-08-21 07:26:42
- Updated
- 2026-08-21 07:26:42
[Financial News] As it became known through online communities that some correctional facilities served inmates pizza and chicken as special meals for National Liberation Day of Korea, a heated debate has broken out over inmate treatment.
Half a pizza, half-and-half chicken... Prison August menu spreads online
In recent days, posts showing correctional facility meal plans have been uploaded one after another on various online communities around August 15, National Liberation Day of Korea.
According to the posts, Gyeongbuk Northern Prison No. 1 served half a pizza as a special meal for National Liberation Day of Korea. Cheongju Women's Correctional Institution offered so-called "half-and-half chicken."
The regular menus, apart from the special meals, were also made public. The August menu for Seoul Dongbu Detention Center included pork soup, spicy braised chicken, and squid soup. The menu for Sangju Prison listed tteokbokki, fried seaweed rolls, and pan-fried dumplings.
The correctional authorities say they are planning meals within the available budget while meeting essential nutritional standards.
The daily food budget per inmate at correctional facilities nationwide is 5,201 won. Divided into three meals, that comes to about 1,734 won per meal.
Prison menus are planned on a weekly basis and rotated over the course of a month. Special meals served on national holidays and traditional holidays are also arranged within that budget.
"What about the victims?" vs. "This is not a luxurious menu" — debate intensifies
Internet users who saw the menu vented their anger over the special items. Comments included, "I, who have done nothing wrong, get to eat less," "Do they not think about the victims and use taxpayers' money to treat them?" and "It is excessive to even provide chicken and pizza as special meals for criminals."
On the other hand, some pushed back, citing the budget scale, saying, "With a budget in the 5,000-won range for three meals a day, this is not a luxurious menu," and "It is the minimum level of care needed to maintain inmates' health and support rehabilitation."
[email protected] Seong Min-seo Reporter