Recently, “Yoo Ah-in and Kim Ho-joong’s Prison Meals” became a controversial topic on South Korean social media. Yoo Ah-in is currently imprisoned at Seoul Detention Center, serving a one-year sentence for drug use. Meanwhile, trot singer Kim Ho-joong is being held in solitary confinement awaiting trial.
Newsis provided detailed information about the meals these two high-profile prisoners will receive during the Chuseok holiday. Breakfast will include bread, jam, soup, boiled eggs, and soy milk. Lunch will feature traditional Korean dishes such as potato soup, stir-fried squid, corn salad, and kimchi. Dinner will consist of soybean paste soup, gondre vegetable rice with sauce, seaweed, and kimchi. Seoul Detention Center confirmed that the prisoners will be served special meals during this major holiday, though the exact menu has not been fully disclosed. Last year, prisoners were served traditional Gangjeong rice cakes.
This information quickly sparked outrage among K-netizens. Many questioned why criminals were being treated so well, receiving good meals, and being allowed to watch TV. Some netizens argued that resources should be allocated to more deserving causes, such as helping impoverished children.
On social media, K-netizens voiced their criticisms, saying: “Eating well, aren’t they?“, “Make them work for their food, why are prison meals so good?“, “Why are criminals treated so well? That money should go to feed starving children“, “Let them go hungry so they can repent for their crimes“, “Why not focus on the victims instead?“
On September 3rd, Yoo Ah-in was sentenced for violating the Narcotics Control Act and for attempting to destroy evidence. The “Best Actor” was given a one-year prison sentence, fined 2 million won (about $1,500), and was taken into custody immediately after the verdict. Additionally, Yoo Ah-in must complete 80 hours of drug rehabilitation education and was ordered to pay an additional fine of 1.54 million won (about $1,160).
Trot singer Kim Ho-joong is currently being held at Seoul Detention Center while awaiting trial. He faces a three-year prison sentence for drunk driving, causing an accident, fleeing the scene, asking someone to take the blame for him, and attempting to destroy evidence. Kim Ho-joong is in solitary confinement in a 5.05 square meter room, equipped with a toilet, sink, bedding, and a TV. He is allowed to watch TV from 5 PM to 9 PM. Additionally, he is said to receive special meals that are not part of the standard prison menu.
Source: K14