Every week, Reporter Park Dae-gi presents the economic atmosphere in South Korea. In this episode, he discusses the popularity of the “1,000 won breakfast” offered at student cafeterias. The program covers the reasons behind this trend, including the financial burden on college students who struggle to pay for all three meals. Reporter Park visited Kyung Hee University and found that the long lines forming in front of vending machines were due to the limited availability of 130 breakfast meals per day. While some universities receive support from the government or school to offer a 1,000 won breakfast, others do not. Despite the success of the program for some universities, it remains difficult for institutions without resources to participate. The government’s original policy was to increase rice consumption, but the underlying problem of student poverty needs multifaceted policies that support the next generation beyond just affordable meals.
[앵커]
It is presented every week.
Reporter Park Dae-gi’s economic atmosphere, today (1st), was also prepared by Reporter Park Dae-gi.
welcome.
What are you talking regarding today?
[기자]
These days, ‘1,000 won’s breakfast’ is popular.
The student cafeteria at the university sells breakfast for 1,000 won.
We covered the background and behind the popularity.
[앵커]
Reporter Park has been to the scene, right?
Was it very crowded?
[기자]
Yes, the first keyword is the student cafeteria ‘open run’.
It’s ‘open run’ because they run as soon as they open the door, but most universities that sell ‘1,000 won breakfast’ are like that.
I went to Kyung Hee University yesterday (31st), and I will take a look.
This is Kyung Hee University student cafeteria.
Long lines were formed in front of the vending machines even before the ticket sales started.
This is because there is a limit of 130 each day, so if you are late, you cannot eat it.
Fortunately, it wasn’t sold out that day, so I paid for it and ate it.
Steamy cabbage soup.
It’s not a very special menu, but it’s almost sold out except on Fridays.
After the breakfast of 1,000 won, the number of students eating breakfast more than doubled.
[김주연/경희대 경영학과 : “보통 밥 먹으려면 만 원 정도 써야 하는데 천 원이면 좋은 거 같아요.”]
[앵커]
Of course, it is because of the high prices that students flock to these places.
[기자]
That’s right.
The second keyword is “the luxury of three meals”.
College students say eating three meals a day is a luxury because of the cost of eating out, or even two meals a day.
The reason I didn’t eat breakfast was not because I was too sleepy, but because I didn’t have money.
Let’s hear it yourself.
[유광형/경희대 철학과 : “원래는 점심 하고 저녁을 거의 먹었는데 아무래도 돈 부담이 되다 보니까 지금 천원의 아침식사 사업한 이후로는 아침하고 점심을 먹고 있거든요.”]
[안종범/한국외대 국제학부 : “자취생 입장으로서는 부담이 되는 터라 가끔은 늦은 점심을 먹어 하루를 한 끼로 해결하기도 합니다.”]
[이혜진/서울교대 : “대학생들도 식비 부담 없이 하루 두 끼 건강하게 먹고 지내고 싶습니다.”]
In fact, in a survey of college students, 77% of students cited ‘food expenses’ as the first expense they reduced following inflation.
[앵커]
In order to supply breakfast for 1,000 won, the government or school must provide support, right?
how is it going
[기자]
This system is a project that the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has been implementing since six years ago.
However, only part of the government budget is supported.
Taking Kyung Hee University as an example, the original breakfast price is 4,000 won.
The government pays 1,000 won each, and the school pays for the remaining 2,000 won, so students can eat only 1,000 won.
[앵커]
It means that half of the meal cost is paid by the university, but if that’s the case, I think there are universities that don’t participate because they feel burdened by this.
[기자]
So, the last keyword.
The 1,000-won breakfast is also said to be ‘the rich get richer and the poor get poorer’.
Where the university’s finances are strong or the alumni association donates, this project goes well.
However, there are many universities that do not.
There are 336 universities nationwide.
Among them, 41 universities participating in breakfast at 1,000 won accounted for only regarding 12%.
In the case of universities with financial difficulties, there are places where student cafeterias have disappeared.
In addition, the remaining student cafeterias also received 4,000 to 7,000 won per meal as prices rose, so the term ‘cheap student cafeteria’ has become an old word.
[앵커]
Can’t the government increase the budget a little more?
[기자]
The government announced that it would select additional participating universities by doubling the budget of regarding 800 million won this year.
However, since the amount of subsidy per meal is 1,000 won, it will still be difficult for universities without money to participate.
The reason the government initially introduced this policy six years ago was to increase rice consumption.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, not other departments, made a policy to reduce rice consumption because young people do not have the habit of eating breakfast.
However, following implementing it, the reason college students skip meals was because they did not have money.
So, eat breakfast and skip dinner.
The monthly rent has risen, and it is not easy to find a job.
In addition to food expenses, it seems that we need multifaceted policies to support the independence of the next generation.
Cinematographer: Cho Eun-kyung/Video editing: Park Joo-yeon/Graphic: Ko Seok-hoon
As the popularity of ‘1,000 won breakfast’ continues to rise, it seems clear that college students are struggling to afford their basic meals. While this policy has certainly helped improve access to affordable food options, it’s important to remember that it’s only available at select universities. Furthermore, the current system requires both government and university support, which is not always feasible. As we search for solutions to help support the next generation, it’s clear that a multifaceted approach is needed. From rent increases to job insecurity, college students are facing increasing financial challenges. It’s crucial that we work together to find new ways to support them throughout their education and beyond.
