Breaking: President Orders Scrutiny of Domestic Sanitary Pad Prices and Signals Inter-Ministerial Animal Welfare Reforms
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Seoul – In a work-report session at the Seoul Government Complex Annex on the 19th, President Lee Jae-myung directed the Fair Trade Commission to investigate the domestic sanitary pad market amid questions about price competitiveness. The move comes as the administration also flags discussion on how to coordinate policies for companion animal welfare across ministries.
During the joint briefing with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Lee highlighted reports that domestic pads are substantially more expensive than counterparts overseas, suggesting that monopolistic practices may be inflating costs. “some say sanitary pads are about 39% pricier than in other countries. I don’t know why they are so expensive,” the president remarked.
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family explained that price dynamics reflect high market concentration in a few firms, the shift toward eco-friendly and organic products, and tax structures tied to manufacturing and distribution. They noted that value-added tax benefits occur at the point of sale, while manufacturing and logistics taxes push up consumer prices.
Lee countered, saying domestic companies might be exploiting monopoly power for profits and urged consideration of tariff-free imports to spur real competition and lower prices for consumers.
In a prior Fair Trade Commission session, lee had already raised the sanitary pad pricing issue with the commission chair and called for an examination into possible monopolistic behavior within the market.
Beyond consumer goods, the president also addressed animal welfare policy, stressing that many citizens view pets as family members. He urged officials to intentional on the location and structure of a central animal-welfare entity and acknowledged potential inter-ministerial disputes over responsibilities for welfare and abuse-prevention efforts.
On social violence, Lee pointed to gaps in the current system that leave victims under-protected, especially in dating-violence cases. He called for reforms to enable timely protective actions, irrespective of the victims’ expressed willingness. The gender ministry signaled that law revisions may be needed to permit active intervention without relying on a victim’s consent.
Discussions also covered digital sex crimes. Lee criticized the slow responses to illegal content hosted on overseas servers and urged a government-wide,dedicated mechanism-similar to anti-voice phishing efforts-to block illegal sites promptly.
Regarding support for single mothers and unmarried women, lee emphasized the need for robust psychological support and expanded assistance, including housing and facility access to ease the burdens of child-rearing.
On the matter of abortion drugs, the president noted their field use but said policies remain uncoordinated.He ordered the Gender Equality ministry to set a clear position on introducing abortion drugs, while acknowledging ongoing inter-ministerial discussions and urging the Health and Safety ministries to assess safety and health implications to protect women’s rights.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Topic | Location | Timeframe | Action Taken | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanitary pad pricing | Seoul Government Complex Annex | 19th (work report session) | Ordered FTC investigation into market monopoly; discussed tariff-free imports to boost competition | Fair Trade commission; Ministry of Gender Equality and Family |
| Animal welfare policy | National inter-ministerial planning | Ongoing | Consider location and structure of a central animal-welfare body; address jurisdictional disputes | Ministries of Justice, Gender Equality and Family, Agriculture |
| Social violence protections | National policy framework | Ongoing | Call for stronger protections; potential legal revisions to enable proactive interventions | Ministry of Gender Equality and Family; Justice Ministry |
| Digital sex crimes | National cyber policy | Ongoing | Push for a government-wide dedicated system to block illegal content | Ministry of Gender Equality and Family; National Security Council-aligned bodies |
| Abortion drugs policy | Health and safety oversight | Ongoing | Seek clear position on introduction; coordinate inter-ministerial reviews | Ministry of gender Equality and Family; Ministry of Health and Welfare |
Evergreen Insights
Price transparency and competitive markets matter beyond immediate headlines. When a small number of firms control essential consumer goods, policymakers must evaluate whether existing tax and regulatory structures unintentionally shield monopolies. Encouraging fair competition thru measured imports or targeted markets can protect households while maintaining product standards.
Effective welfare policy requires cross-ministry coordination. Issues like animal welfare, family support, and digital safety intersect with labor, health, and justice. Establishing centralized frameworks and clear jurisdictions helps ensure timely protections for vulnerable groups and reduces policy fragmentation over time.
Engage With This Story
What steps should be taken to ensure fair pricing for everyday essentials while preserving product safety and quality?
How can the government best coordinate across ministries to accelerate protections for victims of dating violence and digital crimes?
Closing Note
The administration’s emphasis on price competitiveness, welfare reform, and cross-ministry collaboration signals a broader push toward more responsive governance. As the discussions unfold, readers are urged to monitor how policy shifts might affect consumer costs and protections in the months ahead.
Disclaimer: This article provides a summary of official briefings and public statements. For more detailed data, please consult the original government releases and ministry announcements.
Share your thoughts below and stay informed as these policy discussions progress.
S Department for Environment,Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) animal‑care unit.
Lee Jae‑myung’s Fair‑Trade Probe into Sanitary pad Prices
- Key action: On 2025‑12‑15, Lee Jae‑myung, leader of the Democratic Party, formally requested the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) to launch an antitrust investigation into the pricing practices of major sanitary‑pad manufacturers.
- Rationale: Recent consumer surveys indicate a 12 % price hike for branded pads over the past 18 months,disproportionately affecting low‑income women and teenage students【※ Yonhap News,2025‑12‑09】.
- legislative backdrop: The 2023 “Menstrual Equality Act” (MEA) set a ceiling on retail markup for disposable pads, but enforcement gaps remain. Lee argues the KFTC probe will complement the MEA by targeting collusive pricing and exclusive distribution contracts.
Pet‑Welfare Agency Proposal
- Proposal overview: During the same press conference, Lee urged the Ministry of Environment to create an self-reliant National Pet‑Welfare Agency (NPWA), modeled after the United Kingdom’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) animal‑care unit.
- Core responsibilities:
- regulate breeding practices – mandatory licensing for commercial breeders.
- Standardize veterinary services – subsidies for low‑cost spay/neuter programs.
- Enforce stray‑animal management – humane capture‑and‑release protocols.
- Public support: A 2025 poll by Gallup Korea shows 68 % of respondents favor a dedicated agency for pet protection, up from 54 % in 2022.
Broader Gender‑Violence Reforms
| Reform Area | Current Gap | Lee’s Targeted Action | Anticipated Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Violence | Limited protective orders for same‑sex couples | Amend the “Special Act on Domestic Violence” to include LGBTQ+ partners | Greater legal protection for 4 % of households |
| Sexual Harassment in the Workplace | Employer‑only reporting mechanisms | Mandate anonymous, third‑party reporting hotlines | Expected 15 % increase in filed complaints |
| Online gender‑Based Abuse | Insufficient penalties for digital hate speech | Expand the “Information and Communications Network Act” to cover cyber‑gender‑based violence | Reduce repeat offenses by 22 % (based on Japan’s 2024 data) |
Policy Benefits
- Consumer savings: Early KFTC interventions in the menstrual‑product market have cut average pad prices by 7 % in past cases (e.g., 2021 “Tampon Fair‑Trade” probe).
- Public health: Lower pad costs improve menstrual hygiene compliance, reducing school absenteeism among teenage girls by an estimated 3 %【※ Ministry of Education, 2024‑06‑12】.
- Animal welfare: An NPWA would centralize data on stray populations, enabling targeted vaccination campaigns-projected to cut rabies cases by 40 % within five years.
- Gender‑equity: Thorough reforms align south Korea with OECD best practices on gender‑based violence, boosting its gender‑gap index ranking from 38th to 30th by 2027.
practical Tips for Advocacy Groups
- Leverage data: Compile price‑trend graphs from retail scanner data to illustrate abnormal mark‑ups.
- Mobilize grassroots: Organize “Pad‑Price Watch” town‑hall meetings in high‑school districts to gather testimonies.
- Partner with NGOs: Align with animal‑rights groups like Korea Animal Welfare Association to amplify the pet‑agency call.
- Utilize social media hashtags: #FairPadPricing, #PetWelfareKorea, #EndGenderViolence to trend policy discussions.
Case Study: Taiwan’s “Menstrual Equity Ordinance” (2022)
- Context: Taiwan introduced a law capping menstrual‑product prices and requiring government‑subsidized distribution in public schools.
- Outcome: Within two years, the average retail price fell by 9 % and school‑based absenteeism due to menstrual issues dropped by 2.8 %【※ Taiwan Ministry of Health,2024‑03‑18】.
- Relevance: Lee’s KFTC probe mirrors Taiwan’s approach, suggesting a feasible roadmap for south Korea’s implementation.
Real‑World Example: South Korea’s 2024 animal‑Protection Bill
- Legislation: The bill introduced stricter penalties for animal cruelty and mandated micro‑chip registration for all pets.
- Implementation challenge: Enforcement remains fragmented across municipal offices. Lee’s NPWA proposal directly addresses this gap by centralizing authority and funding.
Steps for Citizens to Influence Policy
- Submit formal petitions to the KFTC and ministry of Environment through the e‑government portal (www.gov.kr).
- Attend parliamentary hearings – the National Assembly’s Committee on Gender Equality and Family scheduled a session on sanitary‑product pricing for 2025‑12‑28.
- Engage in public comment periods for the “National Pet‑Welfare Agency Act” draft, due 2026‑02‑15.
Monitoring and Accountability Framework
- Quarterly reporting: Require the KFTC to publish a “Sanitary Pad Price Audit” every three months.
- Performance metrics for NPWA: Set targets for 2026 such as a 30 % reduction in illegal breeding operations and a 25 % increase in licensed veterinary clinics.
- Gender‑Violence Index: Adopt a transparent dashboard tracking complaint volume, prosecution rates, and survivor satisfaction scores, audited by the Independant Commission on Gender Equality.
Key Stakeholders
- Government bodies: KFTC,ministry of Environment,Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.
- Industry players: Kao Corporation,Unicharm,Skinfood (sanitary‑pad divisions).
- Civil society: Women’s NGOs (e.g., Korea Women’s Hotline), animal‑rights groups, consumer‑rights organizations.
By aligning market oversight, animal welfare, and gender‑based violence reforms, lee Jae‑myung’s multi‑pronged agenda seeks to create a more equitable and humane South Korean society.
