Hair loss treatment for votes? South Korea's hairy debate

Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Party, speaks during a New Year press conference at the Kia Motors plant in Gyeonggi-Do, South Korea January 04, 2022. Chung Sung-Jun/Pool via REUTERS

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's ruling party presidential candidate ignited a debate this week after he proposed allowing public healthcare insurance to cover hair loss treatment, fanning both cheers from some voters and criticism over his populist agenda.

Lee Jae-myung, the flag bearer of the Democratic Party, made that pledge, saying almost 10 million people suffer from hair loss but many of them order medicines from overseas or resort to prostate drugs as an alternative due to high treatment costs.