BBC Reports on President Lee's Remarks During Policy Briefing
Foreign media outlets have focused their coverage on President Lee Jae-myung's directive to review the inclusion of hair loss treatment drugs under the National Health Insurance.
President Lee Jae-myung is asking Minister of Health and Welfare Jung Eun-kyung questions during the Ministry of Health and Welfare (Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency) and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety briefing held at the Government Sejong Convention Center on the 16th. President Lee stated that it is necessary to review whether hair loss treatment can be supported through the National Health Insurance, saying, "Hair loss treatment was considered a cosmetic purpose in the past, but now it is a matter of survival," and added, "If it is too financially burdensome, it would be good to review (health insurance coverage) once with limitations on the number of treatments or total amount." 2025.12.16 [Photo by Presidential Office Press Photographers Group] Yonhap News
On the 18th (local time), the BBC in the United Kingdom published an article titled "A Matter of Survival: The President Who Wants to Fund Hair Loss Treatment," reporting that "South Korea's well-groomed president has set out to help citizens struggling with hair loss."
On the 16th, during a Ministry of Health and Welfare briefing, President Lee emphasized the need to consider supporting hair loss treatment through the National Health Insurance, stating, "Hair loss treatment was previously regarded as a cosmetic purpose, but now it is a matter of survival." He added, "If it is financially too burdensome, it would be good to review the application of health insurance with limitations on the number of treatments or total amount." In fact, he pledged to include hair loss treatment drugs under health insurance during his campaign for the 20th presidential election. However, he did not present this pledge during the 21st presidential race.
Regarding this, the BBC pointed out, "South Korea is notorious for its strict beauty standards," and added, "Baldness can be a social stigma for young people." The article also noted, "Of the 240,000 people nationwide who sought hospital treatment for hair loss last year, 40% were in their 20s or 30s."
Near Jongno 5-ga Station of Seoul Subway, a hospital prescribing hair loss medication is advertising hair loss medicine prescriptions.
Foreign media also noted that while there are positive responses to support for hair loss treatment, there are also considerable opposing views. Song, a man in his 30s who is taking hair loss medication, told the BBC, "This measure feels like a policy aimed at winning votes." Another man in his 30s, Lee, who is struggling with hair loss, said, "I would be grateful for support for hair loss treatment drugs, but I understand that the health insurance system is already facing financial difficulties. I understand the psychological pain, but that does not change the reality."
Foreign media also cited posts on the social networking service X (formerly Twitter), introducing the argument, "If hair loss becomes a factor that determines survival in society, it is the role of politics to change that society." The report went on to say that there are voices calling for prioritizing support for more vulnerable groups over hair loss treatment, and added, "On social media, people are pointing out bigger social issues in Korea, such as the high suicide rate and misogyny."
The article also conveyed expert opinions suggesting that the policy may have political motives. A professor of political science commented, "Personally, I do not think President Lee will continue to address this issue or take further action," explaining, "It is a very strategic gesture aimed at young male voters, conveying the message, 'I am thinking of you as well.'"
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