Hairy debate erupts in S. Korea politics

Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Party, speaks during a New Year press conference at the Kia Motors plant in Gyeonggi-Do, South Korea January 04, 2022. Chung Sung-Jun/Pool via REUTERS

SEOUL—The presidential candidate of South Korea’s ruling party ignited a debate this week after he proposed allowing public health-care insurance to cover hair loss treatment, fanning both cheers from some voters and criticism over his populist agenda.

Lee Jae-myung, flag bearer of the Democratic Party, made that pledge, saying almost 10 million people suffer from hair loss but many of them order medicines from overseas or resort to prostate drugs as an alternative due to high treatment costs.

Jeong Da-eun, a mother of two, told a meeting which the Democratic Party arranged late on Wednesday with voters suffering from hair loss that she gave up medical treatment as it required 4 million won ($3,325) in six months.Lee’s proposal triggered explosive responses from some people—with a 15-second video clip showing him doing a spoof of a hair loss commercial.

In that widely circulating video which generated parodies on social media, he said he was the best candidate for “your hair.”

“Let’s implant Lee Jae-myung for us,” a user wrote in response at an online hair loss community.But Lee’s pledge also fueled criticism. Ahn Cheol-soo, a minor opposition candidate, described it as irresponsible and promised to cut prices of generic drugs and fund the development of new treatment if elected.

‘Body completeness’Lee, who once said he aspired to be a “successful Bernie Sanders,” shot to fame on the back of his push for universal basic income and aggressive COVID-19 responses during his stint as governor of Gyeonggi province.Lee Sang-ee, a professor at Jeju National University’s medical school, said the national health insurance might falter if it spends hundreds of billions of won to cover hair loss, when it should be designed to help those suffering from serious ailments.

There is no official data on how many South Koreans suffer from hair loss. The National Health Insurance Service only provided yearly tallies of people who have received hospital treatment, which amounted to some 230,000 in 2020.

Lee Jae-myung said hair loss coverage is necessary from the aspect of “body completeness,” and his campaign is studying its potential financial impact.