President Lee Jae Myung has publicly voiced frustration over the high cost of sanitary pads in South Korea — a long-standing issue that has drawn criticism from citizens and activists alike. Currently, prices for sanitary pads in the country range between ₩11,200–₩28,000 KRW ($8.20–$20.50 USD) per pack, depending on the brand and type.
One of the dominant brands, Yuhan-Kimberly, which controls around 50% of the market, sells:
- Regular pack (16 pieces): ₩15,680 KRW ($11.48 USD)
- Large size pack (16 pieces): ₩21,280 KRW ($15.58 USD)
Some premium or imported products can cost as high as ₩28,000 KRW ($20.50 USD) per pack. On average, a woman using four pads during the day and one at night could spend ₩16,800–₩28,000 ($12.30–$20.50 USD) per menstrual cycle — a significant monthly burden.
“I’ve heard that sanitary pads in our country are incredibly expensive,” President Lee stated. “We need to investigate this. I wonder if monopolistic practices are at play, especially since prices here are reportedly 39% higher than in other countries.”
South Korean broadcaster YTN even produced a sand art piece highlighting how sanitary pad prices are disproportionately high relative to citizens’ income — further spotlighting the issue’s urgency.
Sources: Netizenbuzz
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