Meal Card Program Faces Scrutiny Amid Widespread Misuse
A significant portion of funds intended for vulnerable children’s meal cards has been spent on non-essential items and services, including cafes, bars, and even tobacco. Reports indicate that from January to August of the current year, over 1.2 billion won (approximately $900,000 USD) was spent on unauthorized purchases.
The ‘Meal Card for Needy Children’ program, designed to provide essential meals for children under 18 who are recipients of basic livelihood security, allows for monthly top-ups of 300,000 won (approximately $225 USD) per child. Currently, 150,000 children are utilizing this card.
Analysis of Irregular Spending Patterns
An investigation into the operational status of these meal cards has revealed extensive misuse. The largest category of irregular spending was at cafes, with transactions totaling 109 million won (approximately $82,000 USD). These establishments were classified as unauthorized due to their limited association with providing meals.
Further analysis shows that funds were also improperly used at other types of businesses. This includes spending of 14.4 million won (approximately $10,800 USD) at facilities categorized as lifestyle services, such as private tutoring academies, hospitals, and beauty salons. Additionally, 7.28 million won (approximately $5,450 USD) was spent at bars, and 5.07 million won (approximately $3,800 USD) at entertainment facilities like PC bangs and kids’ cafes.
Concerns Extend to Groceries and Parental Misuse
Instances have also been documented where meal cards were used at general supermarkets to purchase items beyond groceries, including alcohol and tobacco. This occurred because certain product categories are not restricted at these retailers when using the meal card.
The program has also seen cases of outright parental misuse. Some parents operating restaurants have reportedly made full payments using their children’s meal cards at their own establishments. In other concerning situations, local government oversight of the meal card system has been found lacking. This has led to instances where parents continued to use their children’s meal cards even after family separation, or even after the child had passed away.
Government Plans for Enhanced Oversight
In response to these findings, the government is planning to implement stricter controls. Discussions are underway with card companies to prohibit the purchase of restricted items like alcohol and tobacco at general supermarkets. Spending at businesses not aligned with meal provision, such as bars, will also be restricted.
Furthermore, the government intends to delist any fraudulent vendors that have facilitated parental misuse of the meal cards. Local governments will also conduct periodic checks on children whose meal card usage is suspected of being misused by parents or those who have long periods of inactivity on their cards.
A senior official from the Ministry of Health and Welfare stated, “We will work closely with local governments to ensure that the child meal card program is managed more effectively at the 현장 (on the ground) and provides maximum benefit.””
