The kitchen, which should have been filled with rising steam, was empty.
Bread, milk, and assorted fruits replaced the diet without rice, soup, and side dishes.
Today (25th), when the National School Temporary Workers Union, which is negotiating wages with the education authorities, went on a general strike, at an elementary school in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, students ate lunch instead of lunch.
The students generally enjoyed their meal, probably considering it as a delicacy, replacing it with bread and milk.
Some students ate lunch boxes prepared by their mothers instead of convenience foods, worried that they would be able to satisfy their growing child's hunger.
The principal of this school said, "Since the strike is temporary, we decided not to dismiss the students after morning classes."
Today in Gwangju, 128 out of 254 schools suffered disruptions in school meals.
122 schools replaced meals with convenience foods like this elementary school, and 6 schools adjusted their academic schedules so that students eat lunch at home.
In Jeonnam, only 746 out of 877 schools operated school meals normally.
98 schools provided bread and milk, and 11 schools provided other convenience foods.
20 schools adjusted their academic schedules, and 2 schools implemented bringing packed lunches.
40 out of 292 elementary care classes in Gwangju and 154 out of 627 in Jeonnam were not operated.
After-school courses for special schools and kindergartens are operating normally in both Gwangju and Jeonnam.
Temporary school workers went on strike today, arguing for the resolution of wage discrimination against regular workers, the preparation of comprehensive lung cancer measures in lunchrooms, and opposition to the reduction of educational subsidies.
(Photo = Yonhap News)