Regional gaps widen in South Korean school meal subsidies

Data analyzed by lawmaker Han Byung-do reveals a growing regional disparity in school meal food ingredient subsidies across South Korea. As of March this year, Gyeonggi Province recorded the highest food costs for middle and high school students for the second consecutive year, with 5,047 KRW and 5,417 KRW per meal, respectively.

In contrast, elementary school meal subsidies show significant gaps between regions. Seoul provides the highest support at 4,553 KRW per meal, while Gwangju (3,950 KRW) and Jeonnam (4,079 KRW) lag behind. The gap in basic food costs—the portion allocated by provincial offices of education before local government supplements—is even more pronounced.

Nationwide, the gap between the highest and lowest spending regions has widened by over 20% across all school levels compared to last year. Lawmaker Han noted that despite the expansion of free school meals, regional differences in local government finances and policy priorities continue to create inequality in the quality of meals provided to students.