Why are restricted food items still sold after the implementation of the school store policy? the case of South Korea

The South Korean government has banned sales of unhealthy foods in school stores since 2009; however, most school stores still sell restricted foods. This study aimed to understand the implementation processes and the reasons for incomplete implementation of the school nutrition policy in South Korea. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 33 policy actors including school store owners, school staff, public officials, politicians, employees of food companies, and experts. Observations of foods sold in school stores were conducted. Interview transcripts were analyzed using both emergent codes and an a priori code list (participants, base values, perspectives, and effects) based on Lasswell’s social process model using NVivo 10. All interviewees perceived that school stores complied with the policy well; however, restricted foods were found in all interviewed school stores during the observations. Although all policy actors understood the intent of the policy; some of them were not interested in the policy or were unsatisfied with the policy and its outcomes such as profit loss. Perspectives and values towards the policy were different for each policy actor group. Poor monitoring of school store foods, lack of awareness of the policy, profit-seeking, and lack of interest in school stores were identified as reasons for incomplete implementation of the policy. The findings support the needs for consideration of various actors’ perspectives, especially for those who are affected by the policy, when implementing school nutrition policies. A stronger understanding of various actors’ involvement in policy processes can inform strategies to enhance implementation and thereby reach outcomes that align with the original policy intent.