Italian priest serving free meals faces online backlash for cake-on-rice serving

An Italian priest dedicated to serving free meals to the homeless and vulnerable in South Korea has faced online mockery and criticism. Father Kim Ha-jong, also known as Vincenzo Bordo, was photographed serving meals that included rice, soup, side dishes, and a slice of cake placed directly on top of the rice.

This unusual presentation sparked a wave of negative comments on social media, with users posting remarks such as "Why put it on top of the rice?" and "Who would eat that?" The criticism appears to stem from a misunderstanding of Korean food culture and the practicalities of serving meals.

Supporters of Father Kim have rushed to his defense, pointing out that he has been providing free meal services for decades. They argue that the cake placement was likely an unintentional mistake due to a lack of space on the serving tray, as it was already filled with other food items. Many expressed sadness and anger over the harsh judgment directed at someone who has devoted his life to helping others, emphasizing his good intentions and the significant impact of his charitable work.