South Korean president calls hair loss a “matter of survival” for young men

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South Korea’s president recently caused a stir by proposing that hair loss treatment should be covered by national health insurance. He explained this is because hair loss is increasingly seen as a serious concern – a “survival issue” – for many young men.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung recently suggested covering hair loss treatments with the country’s national health insurance, according to a report in The Hankyoreh. He asked officials to look into the possibility during a policy discussion.

Currently, South Korea’s public health insurance only covers hair loss caused by medical problems like illness or injury. Hair loss due to typical male pattern baldness isn’t covered, so people have to pay for treatments, medications, and ongoing care themselves.

Lee questioned whether hair loss should be considered a medical condition, stating it’s become a significant concern for young people. Although he didn’t propose any immediate changes, he’s asked officials to investigate the possibility of covering hair loss treatment, and to determine the potential costs.

South Korean President says hair loss is a “matter of survival”

The comments rapidly gained attention online, sparking a variety of responses. Many who agreed pointed out that in South Korea’s competitive environment, how someone looks is often considered important for things like getting a job, finding a partner, and feeling good about themselves.

Look, I get that some treatments are seen as just for looks, and honestly, it feels weird that my taxes might be going towards those when hospitals are already stretched thin and understaffed. It just makes you wonder if that money could be better spent on things that are, you know, actually essential healthcare.

Medical experts countered that hereditary hair loss is a cosmetic issue – it doesn’t cause health problems or threaten life – and questioned whether using public funds to cover it would be the best use of limited resources.

South Korea is currently considering whether to include hair loss treatment under its national healthcare plan. While there are no concrete plans yet, officials are looking into whether it would be financially feasible to cover these treatments.

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2026-01-05 13:19