South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has launched an unexpected policy mission: to have the country’s national health insurance cover the cost of hair loss treatments, framing it as a vital issue of personal dignity rather than mere vanity.
Arguing that public perception has shifted, Lee told officials this week that such treatments are no longer seen as “cosmetic” but as “a matter of survival.”
His proposal seeks to expand coverage beyond its current scope, which only includes hair loss caused by specific medical conditions, not hereditary pattern baldness.
“Is it just a matter of whether to define hereditary disease as a disease?” Lee challenged Health Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong, who noted the current exclusion is because hereditary hair loss does not directly threaten life.
The proposal has resonated online, with some supporters hailing Lee as the “best president in history.” However, the move has sparked skepticism, even among those who would benefit.
“The move feels a bit like a vote-grabbing policy,” said Song Ji-hoon, a 32-year-old Seoul resident who pays for medication. “Saving money sounds nice, but honestly it costs less than 300,000 won ($200) a year, so… is it even necessary?”
The debate places President Lee—known for his own well-groomed appearance—at the center of a conversation that straddles public health priorities, societal pressures, and political strategy, challenging traditional definitions of what constitutes a medical necessity worthy of state support.
By James Kisoo
