The provision of special meals including pizza and fried chicken to inmates at correctional facilities across Korea for National Liberation Day has sparked an online debate, with some questioning why convicted criminals should receive holiday treats, while others said the meals were provided within existing budgets.

Monthly inmate meal plans from correctional facilities around the country were shared on online communities Friday, with particular attention drawn to special menus served for during the national holiday.

At North Gyeongsang Province Prison No. 1 in Cheongsong County, inmates were served half a pizza, while Cheongju Women's Prison in North Chungcheong Province offered fried and seasoned chicken. At Seoul Eastern Detention Center, the menu included seafood soft tofu soup and rice paired with a tomato-based sauce, along with desserts such as pudding.

The average cost of a single meal at correctional facilities nationwide is about 1,700 won ($1.2). Menus are typically planned on a weekly basis and repeated throughout the month.

However, Article 29 of the Enforcement Decree of the Administration and Treatment of Correctional Institution Inmates Act allows correctional facilities to provide special food to inmates on national holidays and similar occasions. This year's Liberation Day meals appear to have been provided under that provision.

Online reactions were divided.

"Regular meals are one thing, but special meals too? Is prison some kind of welfare facility?" one commenter said. Another said, "It seems like they eat better than I do, even though I've lived without committing crimes."

Others pushed back, pointing out that the meals are prepared on a daily food budget of around 5,000 won and are hardly luxurious.

One commenter also noted that detention centers house people awaiting trial whose guilt has not yet been determined.

"They could eventually be found not guilty. Is there really any need to make even their meals harsh?" the commenter said.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

Explore More

• Q.
• Q.
• Q.