Korea University’s “1,000-Won Breakfast” Initiative To Feed 190,000 People a Year

- An average of 1,500 people use the program daily, which offers everything from takeout to ready-to-eat meals.

- At a breakfast meeting with student representatives on March 10, President Kim Dong-One pledged to prioritize the welfare of KU students amid rising inflation.

△ At a breakfast meeting with student representatives on March 10, President Kim Dong-One pledged to prioritize the welfare of KU students amid rising inflation

Korea University (President Kim Dong-One) will again participate in the “1,000-Won Breakfast” program in 2026 and plans to serve 190,000 meals annually, the largest scale among universities nationwide.

Korea University announced that it has been selected to participate in the “2026 1,000-Won Breakfast” program organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and the Korea Agency of Education, Promotion and Information Service in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (EPIS) and will provide affordable breakfasts to approximately 190,000 students this year.

The University’s “1,000-Won Breakfast” initiative serves an average of more than 1,500 Korea University students daily. Previously, only cafeteria-style (set) meals were offered, but to meet students’ diverse needs, the school has added takeout and ready-to-eat options. On a daily basis, approximately 400 students opt for the set meal, while more than 1,100 students choose takeout and ready-to-eat meals available at the Student Union Building, Aegineong Student Dining Hall, and Anam Dormitory.

Lee Da-bin, a third-year student in the Department of Media & Communication who frequently uses this program, said, “Eating out has become so expensive lately that it’s a real burden. Being able to have breakfast for just 1,000 won really helps me save on living expenses.” She added, “On days when I have a first-period class, I can grab a ready-to-eat meal like a rice ball and head straight to the lecture hall, which is very convenient.”

As the program has gained popularity among students, Korea University held a breakfast event on March 10 at the Hantu Square Student Union Building to commemorate the launch of the “1,000-Won Breakfast” program for the first semester of the 2026 academic year.

The purpose of the event was for the president to share details of the initiative and to listen to student feedback while enjoying a 1,000-won breakfast with student representatives. President Kim Dong-One said that it was meaningful to personally hear students’ opinions at a time when rising inflation is increasing their food expenses. He promised to provide generous support through the initiative so that students can enjoy a healthy breakfast and focus more on their studies.

Korea University’s “1,000-Won Breakfast” program served 193,642 students during the 2025 academic year, establishing itself as a staple student welfare program. The program is funded by EPIS, the KU PRIDE CLUB (KUPC), the Seoul Metropolitan Government, and Seongbuk-gu Municipal Government. Korea University plans to again serve approximately 190,000 students this year, alleviating their food expenses and promoting healthy college lifestyles.