South Korean President Proposes Including Baldness Treatment in Health Insurance (2 photos)
According to him, the problem of baldness has become a "matter of survival" for young Koreans. 
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has proposed including hair loss treatment in national health insurance. He argues that baldness has become a matter of survival for young Koreans, not a cosmetic issue.
While there is some truth to his words, both politicians and experts have criticized the president, who suggested focusing on more serious issues, such as cancer treatment and other serious illnesses.
It is noted that South Korea has a universal health insurance system, financed by contributions from citizens based on their income. Currently, the insurance only covers treatment for hair loss due to medical reasons; for example, alopecia areata can be treated with insurance.
"There are young people who feel it's unfair that they pay insurance premiums but can't receive benefits when needed," Lee said. 
As strange as the South Korean president's proposal may seem, many considered it reasonable, given the intense focus on appearance in the country. The Guardian reports that a 2024 survey of young people found that 98% of respondents considered physical attractiveness a source of social advantage. Women claimed to face strict requirements regarding makeup, skincare, and body image, while men, while not openly complaining about the decisive role of appearance in employment, prefer to grow bangs to conceal baldness or are forced to resort to expensive procedures, according to media reports.
Meanwhile, the hair loss treatment market in South Korea was worth approximately 188 billion won in 2024, and of the more than 51 million people in the country, approximately 10 million suffer from baldness.
