According to an analysis from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 16.9% of South Koreans were classified as excessive sugar consumers in 2023, indicating a rising trend from previous years. This statistic suggests that approximately one in six individuals consumes more than 20% of their total energy intake from sugar. Although the total sugar intake has decreased since 2016, there has been a slight increase from 2020 to 2023, raising concerns about public health particularly among children and adolescents who are the highest consumers of sugar.

The data highlights that children aged 1-9 are the most significant sugar consumers at 26.7%, followed by adolescents and young adults. Interestingly, the percentage of women who are classified as excessive sugar consumers (21.0%) is significantly higher than that of men (12.9%). This growing consumption is primarily attributed to sugary beverages, which are the leading source of sugar intake, followed by fruits, dairy products, and baked goods. Excess sugar consumers reportedly consume these products at over three times the rate of those who do not.

In light of the health risks associated with excessive sugar consumption, President Lee Jae-myung has suggested introducing a sugar tax similar to tobacco taxes to discourage high sugar intake. This move aims to utilize the generated funds for healthcare initiatives targeted at public health, underlining the government's health policy focus as chronic diseases linked to sugar consumption rise. Such discussions could lead to significant changes in dietary legislation in South Korea.