Han media reported that South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 20th at a State Council meeting held at Cheong Wa Dae that the price of sanitary napkins in the country is more expensive than abroad and instructed "to study the scheme of commissioned production and free supply."

On the same day, President Yoon Suk-yeol stated at a State Council meeting held at the main building of Cheong Wa Dae: "It seems to be a fact that the price of sanitary napkins in our country is 40% higher than abroad. Shouldn't we produce cheaper products to sell so that the poor can also use them?" He then made the aforementioned statement.

President Yoon Suk-yeol said: "The manufacturers claim that the price is high because the product is high-end," "then why not produce cheaper ones? We should use products with basic quality."

He continued: "The current burden is too heavy. If the government provides support, it would be like giving money for nothing," "I am currently studying the scheme of producing very basic, essential, and quality-assured low-cost sanitary napkins and providing them free of charge."

Since his time as mayor of Seongnam, President Yoon Suk-yeol has been concerned about the sanitary napkin support program for low-income groups. During his tenure as governor of Gyeonggi Province, he provided financial support for all female teenagers in the province to purchase sanitary napkins. During the presidential election, he also proposed expanding this policy nationwide.

Han media reported that South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol instructed some public institutions: "Even though the president pointed out the problem, when the minister listened to the report again, some places still showed the same attitude," "for such places, some feasible measures should be taken."

President Yoon Suk-yeol said: "I won't specify where exactly, but strict reprimand is needed," "the budget execution of public institutions is not more than the government's, right? That's not acceptable. You must be serious and do your job properly."

Some interpretations of President Yoon Suk-yeol's speech were seen as targeting Lee Hak-jae, the president of Incheon Airport Corporation. Previously, Lee Hak-jae had been publicly criticized in last year's work report, and on the 14th of this month, he was criticized again at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's work report for needing to listen to problems.

According to Han media, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on December 19, 2025, that the Fair Trade Commission should conduct large-scale investigations into enterprises disrupting market order and impose significant fines. Regarding the planned expansion of 167 staff members for the Fair Trade Commission next year, he instructed "it should significantly increase the number of personnel."

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the afternoon of the 19th at the Fair Trade Commission's business report held at the Government Complex in Seoul: "The basic responsibility of the Fair Trade Commission is to prevent economic vulnerable groups from suffering unjustly." He asked: "I have said that I need to add about 500 people, but they only carefully added 147 people?"

President Yoon Suk-yeol said: "In short, don't let people say that necessary work couldn't be done due to lack of manpower." He pointed out: "In fact, there are too many entities that the Fair Trade Commission needs to investigate, and due to lack of manpower, investigation is also an issue." At this occasion, the president requested a review of the existing plan to expand by 167 people next year and resubmit it.

He also pointed out that the fines imposed by the Fair Trade Commission on companies for internal improper transactions and other unfair practices were too low. President Yoon said: "Although the Fair Trade Commission claims to increase the fixed fine from 4 billion to 10 billion won, it seems quite a lot, but for large companies, it's nothing at all." He criticized: "Companies make hundreds of billions or even trillions of won through violations, while the penalty level is negligible."

In addition, President Yoon instructed the chairperson of the Fair Trade Commission to investigate whether there is price collusion in the sanitary napkin market. President Yoon said: "It is unknown whether it is due to monopoly, but it is said that the price is about 39% higher than in other countries. I don't understand why it is so expensive. There must be a reason."

Original: toutiao.com/article/7597451039872156202/

Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.