Kim Kyung-hwa Apologizes After Backlash Over School Lunch Controversy

On March 29, broadcaster Kim Kyung-hwa issued an apology after facing criticism for expressing dissatisfaction with the school lunch provided to her daughter following a tragic sinkhole incident that resulted in a fatality. In her statement, she acknowledged her insensitivity, saying, "I am sorry. I bow my head in apology. My thoughts were short-sighted, and I failed to see the broader context due to my own position. This is my shortcoming."

Kim's comments came after she raised concerns about her second daughter's school serving a non-cooked meal of bread and milk during lunch, which she shared on social media along with a photo of the meal. She explained that the school had halted regular lunch services due to safety issues following a recent accident that caused a death and injuries in the area.

Despite understanding the reasons behind the changes, Kim expressed her discomfort as a parent, stating, "I have been waking up early to prepare meals and pack lunches, but it is hard to feel at ease sending my child to school under these circumstances." She also noted that teachers were receiving warm meals through delivery, which led her to question the fairness of the situation.

The backlash intensified as netizens criticized her for prioritizing school lunches over the tragic loss of life, with comments such as, "Is school lunch really that important when someone has died?" and "Why not just send a packed lunch?" In light of the ongoing criticism, Kim ultimately recognized the negative public sentiment and offered her apologies, hoping to bring the controversy to a close.