South Korea's school meal and nutrition programs improve student health and performance. The OECD ranks Korea among top PISA countries for educational equity, and Universal Free Lunch Program results show higher test scores and less underperformance. Since 2009, Korea has run policies like the Green Food Zone and Sugar Reduction Plan. These shape what students learn and where they eat, showing an integrated, lifelong health education model.
This study uses qualitative methods, combining content analysis of policy documents, curriculum guidelines, and interviews with education and nutrition staff. It examines how Korea's health education works as behavioral governance, applying Michel Foucault's governmentality framework to show how governments shape behavior indirectly through institutions, daily practices, and norms instead of force. Analysis of spatial regulation, curriculum, and community role shows how these policies guide choices and build lasting awareness. Findings show students are learners and health-conscious citizens shaped by institutional structures, suggesting such policies act as governance tools within education.
Korea's experience offers lessons for Indonesia, which launched a national free meal program in 2025 for over 82 million students to reduce stunting and support rural communities. Korea Health Promotion Association collaborates with Banda Aceh's local government and community health centers to run child growth monitoring, nutrition support, and health education programs tackling non-communicable diseases and early childhood development gaps. This illustrates an effective model of sustained public-private community partnership between Korea and Indonesia, highlighting how integrated health and nutrition strategies can help bridge regional health inequalities and advance SDGs 3 and 4.

Authors:
Seri Yoon, Waseda University, Japan

About the Presenter(s)
Seri Yoon is Master’s student at Waseda University focusing on economic growth and higher education under macroeconomics and education professors, exploring sustainable development and fostering economic resilience through higher education policies.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/seri-y-711ab5333

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