Military to change its way of providing meals to service members from cafeteria system to buffet system

The Defense Department said Sunday that Army and Marine Corps soldiers have completely replaced the fur blankets they used as bedding in their living quarters with commercial comforters this year. A service member checks a commercially laundered comforter. Courtesy of the Department of Defense

The military is promoting a plan to change the way of providing meals to service members from its existing cafeteria system of giving out food on their trays to a buffet system where they can choose from more than 10 menus according to their taste. Special meals worth around 13,000 won per meal will also be provided every month.
On December 17, the Ministry of National Defense announced a plan to improve service conditions for soldiers, including a pilot project for buffet-style meals and providing them with special meals up to 15 times a year.
Next year, buffet-style meals with more than 10 menus, including chicken, pork cutlets, hamburgers, and ramen, will be offered on a trial basis to 17,000 service members from 13 units nationwide, which will be provided by a private company.
Even if a buffet system is introduced, the cost will not exceed the current level of 13,000 won for three meals a day, an official said.
The "Special Meal from Local Restaurants,” which is designed for mutual benefits of local communities and the military, will be provided at least once a month at a cost of 13,000 won per meal through local businesses near units.

There is a possibility that the special meal will be provided once more in June, the month of memorial, and in October, when there is Armed Forces Day, and to be expanded to 15 times a year.

※This article has undergone review by a professional translator after being translated by an AI translation tool.