Ulsan City is taking steps to alleviate the burden on parents by providing funding for the cleaning and disinfecting of lunch trays at all daycare centers starting this year. The budget of approximately 1.58 billion KRW is designated for the cleaning and sterilization of trays used by around 18,000 children in 528 daycare centers in the region. Previously, trays were often washed by parents or sent to cleaning companies at an additional cost. The city's funding aims to centralize this task and relieve parents of financial burdens.

Despite the positive intentions behind the funding, the initiative has sparked intense competition among local providers, leading to significant confusion. Since the announcement of the funding plan at the beginning of the year, numerous complaints from both service providers and daycare centers have arisen regarding the process of allocating funds for this new initiative. The district of Nam-gu, for instance, has issued a public notice for emergency bidding under a 'negotiated contract' system to ensure fair selection of service providers, which has led to increased scrutiny and debate among stakeholders in the community.

The eligibility requirements for service contracts outline specific qualifications for evaluation committees, emphasizing the importance of maintaining fairness in the selection of cleaning companies. Although the cleaning and disinfecting of lunch trays is primarily seen as a straightforward task, there are implications about the necessity for professionalism in executing the service, which has sparked discussion about whether the city's approach truly reflects the best practices required for maintaining health standards in daycare environments.