President suggests baldness is a major issue for young people

South Korea’s new president, seeking to win back disillusioned young voters, has revived a proposal he first floated during his 2022 campaign: using public funds to cover baldness treatment. At a recent televised policy meeting, President Lee Jae Myung asked his health minister whether the national insurance system could pay for hair-loss care, calling baldness a disease and suggesting that young people with thinning hair view it as a “matter of survival.” The health ministry is now reviewing the idea, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The proposal has sparked debate across South Korea. Kim Sang-jin, 33, who spends about $100 a month on shampoos, foams, and clinic visits, says the financial and psychological burden is significant. On the other hand, Seo Eun-ji, 26, who also struggles with thinning hair, believes taxpayers shouldn’t fund what she calls a largely cosmetic issue that affects men more and can often be managed individually. The Korean Medical Association has raised similar concerns, questioning whether an already stretched health budget should be used for hair-loss treatments. Jemin Park, 27, argues the government should focus on finding a real cure instead.

Currently, South Korea’s national health insurance covers hair-loss treatments only when the condition results from medical issues. Health Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong confirmed that hereditary hair loss is excluded because it does not endanger life, according to the BBC.

The debate is shaped by South Korea’s deep cultural focus on appearance. In a country where job applications often require photos and “lookism” is a recognized term, hair can be seen as both a personal and professional asset, the Journal notes. Surveys indicate that over three-quarters of South Koreans believe everyone worries about hair loss, and about half express interest in treatments even if they have not started balding. Lee Won-woo, 33, said hair loss “has seriously eroded my confidence,” per the BBC, but he doubts that insurance could realistically cover it. “It’s a natural part of aging, not an illness or a disease,” Lee said. “I understand the emotional pain, but that doesn’t change the reality.”

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