Prisoners' Liberation Day feast sparks outrage online in South Korea

The provision of special meals, including chicken and pizza, to inmates in some South Korean correctional facilities on Liberation Day has sparked public outcry online. Images of August meal schedules from various detention centers, which included these celebratory dishes, circulated widely on internet forums.

While most daily meals consist of basic staples like rice, soup, and one or two side dishes, the inclusion of "special treats" for the Aug. 15 holiday drew sharp criticism. Netizens expressed anger and disbelief, with comments questioning whether the inmates were being treated to a "vacation" and why such meals were deemed appropriate.

However, the Ministry of Justice's Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Execution of Sentences and the Treatment of Correctional Inmates permits prison and detention center wardens to offer special meals to inmates on national holidays or equivalent days. This regulation appears to be the basis for the special meal provisions, though the public reaction suggests a disconnect between the legal allowance and public perception of fairness.