The Truth About Lunch Money During Nuri Rocket Launch

There was some buzz a few days ago, right? Apparently, the researchers involved in the Nuri rocket launch had to pay for their own late-night meal boxes out of pocket... It was all over the local news.

I attended an academic conference in the same field this week and took the chance to ask an acquaintance at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) about it. I asked if it was true... and if it was really that unfair.

Their answer was:

1. Before the researchers' business trips to the Goheung Space Center, they received trip applications and were paid their travel expenses in advance. This already included meal costs.

2. The researchers were paid their travel expenses.

3. Meal boxes were provided during night shifts.

4. All public officials and employees of public institutions are required to return the meal costs from their travel expenses if they received meals in kind at their destination. (Government policy for travel expense processing. Same for all ministries.)

5. After returning from the trip, they were notified to return the meal costs from their travel expenses for the meals provided in kind, citing travel regulations.

After hearing this, I finally understood. So what was with the news reports? I started wondering if it was related to the recent attempts to undermine the KARI president... like an internal power struggle to diss the other side? Anyway, it's clear that what was reported isn't the whole truth. I'm curious to hear the side of the person who tipped off the media.