Korea to launch free public sanitary pad program in 12 municipalities starting July
A government-funded pilot program launching next month will install around 700 pad dispensers in a dozen regions around the country, ahead of a planned nationwide rollout next year.
An employee inspects sanitary pad products displayed at a large discount store in Seoul.
NEWS1
Korea will launch a pilot program next month to provide free sanitary pads across a dozen municipalities, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced Tuesday.
The public pads, called modu-ui saengniidae, or "everyone's sanitary pad," will be packaged in single-use packs of two medium-sized pads and dispensed from machines set up in public areas.
The 12 participating local governments are: Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul; Eunpyeong District, northern Seoul; Gwangmyeong and Suwon in Gyeonggi; Seocheon County in South Chungcheong; Jung District in Daejeon; Jeongeup in North Jeolla; Mokpo in South Jeolla; Buk District in Gwangju; Gumi in North Gyeongsang; Geochang County in South Gyeongsang; and Jeju City in Jeju Island. They were selected from 32 applicants through a review committee, said the ministry.
The program expands on an existing voucher-based scheme that was limited to vulnerable youth, broadening both the eligible population and ease of access.
The dispensing machines will be installed at public administrative centers, public libraries and other major public facilities, as well as near university districts, transit stations and commercial areas.
Around 700 machines — split between manual and automatic models based on facility size and foot traffic — are slated to be installed in phases. Specific installation locations by region will be published next month on the ministry's website and those of the participating local governments.
The pilot program has a total budget of 3.2 billion won ($2.1 million), fully funded by the central government. The ministry plans to analyze the results and expand the program nationwide from next year.
"The introduction of 'everyone's sanitary pad' was a first step toward creating an environment where anyone can use sanitary pads with confidence whenever they need them," said Gender Minister Won Min-kyong in a press release. "I hope it will contribute to improving public health rights and easing the financial burden of sanitary pad costs."
BY JUNG JONG-HOON [[email protected]]
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
