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By Lee Hyo-jin
Some local governments have begun offering financial support for hair loss treatment, aiming to help boost the self-esteem and confidence of balding people. But these moves are drawing mixed reactions from the public. Some are raising questions over the appropriateness of government subsidies being used for non-essential medical services.
In May 2022, Seongdong District Office in Seoul became the first municipal authority to provide support to balding residents via the enactment of an ordinance.
Beginning this year, the district office has been offering a cash voucher to residents aged 39 and below, who have received alopecia treatment, in accordance with the ordinance.
Daegu Metropolitan Government followed Seongdong district's move. Last December, it amended a similar ordinance offering subsidies to residents between 19 and 39 who were balding. Boryung City in South Chungcheong Province also announced in January that it will provide up to two million won ($1,530) to residents aged 50 and under who are losing hair, in a bid to help improve their quality of life.
More recently, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is seeking to implement a similar move. A member of the Seoul Metropolitan Council proposed an ordinance, Thursday, which would establish legal grounds for the city office to partially pay for oral hair-loss medication for residents aged under 40.
In fact, it was Rep. Lee Jae-myung, chief of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea who had first floated the idea of offering state support to balding people.
During his presidential campaign last year, Lee's caused a stir when he pledged to expand national health insurance coverage to include alopecia treatments. The proposal garnered support from young people with thinning hair but sparked criticisms from others who viewed it as populism.
Although hair loss is known to be more frequent among older people, data shows that a growing number of young Koreans are being treated for hair loss. In 2020, some 230,000 people were treated for balding, according to the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). Among them, people aged 20 to 50 accounted for 64.4 percent.
The issue raises questions about whether it is appropriate to use state resources to help with hair loss, as it is not deemed a life-threatening disease. Considering that state health insurance does not cover non-essential medical procedures such as cosmetic plastic surgery or weight loss treatments, some people view the policy as unfair.
"When I first heard the news, I couldn't disagree more with the policy," said a 30-year-old resident of Seongdong District surnamed Lee.
"I don't think balding is a serious disease requiring urgent treatment. And from what I understand, they are giving out money to everyone regardless of their income. I hope the district office uses taxpayers' money on something more meaningful such as helping vulnerable residents."
Gongju city in South Chungcheong Province developed a more tailored policy in supporting balding residents. Starting this year, the city is offering up to 500,000 won in cash handouts to cancer patients who are suffering from hair thinning due to chemotherapy.
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