Meal cards for underprivileged children misused for alcohol, tobacco; parents used cards of abused children

Meal cards intended for underprivileged children in South Korea have been misused for purchasing alcohol and tobacco, and in disturbing cases, used by parents of children separated from them due to abuse. The findings emerged from a joint investigation by the Government Joint Anti-Corruption and Civil Service Innovation Task Force and the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

The investigation focused on the operational status of meal cards for children facing food insecurity. These cards, loaded with 300,000 won (approximately $220) monthly, are provided to children under 18 from vulnerable backgrounds, including recipients of basic livelihood security and single-parent families. They can be used at restaurants and convenience stores for meals. Last year, approximately 150,000 children across 182 cities and counties utilized these cards.

Authorities sampled meal card usage data from January to August last year across 17 major cities and provinces. The probe revealed that 13 of these regions, excluding Seoul, Incheon, Busan, and Gwangju, had recorded instances of meal card funds being spent on alcohol and tobacco. Furthermore, a parent operating a restaurant was found to have falsely paid the full card balance at their own establishment. Other non-food-related businesses where the cards were improperly used included academies, hospitals, and internet cafes.