Scalp vs. State: South Korean President Urges Health Insurance for Hair Loss

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has directed his government to consider expanding national health insurance to cover hair-loss treatments, arguing that baldness has become a critical “matter of survival” impacting young people’s job prospects and mental health, rather than a mere cosmetic issue.

The proposal, which revives a campaign idea from 2022, would significantly broaden coverage beyond the current limited allowances for medically-induced alopecia to include common conditions like male pattern baldness.

This initiative highlights South Korea’s intense cultural pressure regarding appearance, where surveys show near-universal belief that attractiveness confers social benefits.

However, the plan faces strong opposition from medical professionals and conservative critics who argue it misallocates scarce funds from serious diseases like cancer, especially as the national insurance system projects severe financial deficits in the coming years.