"On News of '100-Won Sanitary Pads' Launch... President Lee Thanks KleanNara"

President Lee's Message on Social Media
Repeatedly Raised Price Issues at Cabinet Meetings

President Lee Jaemyung commented on the news that Daiso will release sanitary pads priced at 100 won per pad, saying, "Thank you to Klean Nara. We are now making gradual progress."

Yonhap News Agency

On the 25th, the president shared a related article on X (formerly Twitter) and wrote this comment.

Daiso plans to collaborate with Klean Nara to sell sanitary pads priced at 1,000 won for 10 pads (100 won per pad) at its stores nationwide and on Daisomall starting in May. The price is up to 60% lower than existing Daiso products, which cost 200 to 250 won per pad, and Klean Nara will be responsible for 100% of the domestic production.

The direct trigger for the industry-wide move to expand lowest-price offerings was President Lee’s raising of the price issue. At a Cabinet meeting on January 20, he said, "It seems to be true that sanitary pads in our country are about 40% more expensive than overseas," and instructed officials to review the supply of "low-cost sanitary pads with basic quality" and free provision for low-income groups.

Distributors are also entering the price competition one after another. Coupang rolled out a "99-won private-brand sanitary pad" (price reduction) in early February, and convenience stores and large discount stores have expanded discount events such as buy-one-get-one-free promotions and fixed-price deals.