The recent proposal by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung for a 'sugar levy' has sparked vigorous public discussions, indicating his strong commitment to addressing the rising health crisis caused by excessive sugar consumption. Emphasizing that this is not merely a tax but a 'levy' aimed at reinvesting in public health and community medical services, the president has garnered support from the health and medical sectors. They advocate that implementing this levy is essential for securing healthier futures for the next generation amid growing concerns over childhood and adolescent obesity, which has been on the rise for about a decade due to increased sugar intake from sugary beverages.

During a recent policy discussion held by the Korean Society of Preventive Medicine, experts reiterated the urgent need to implement the sugar levy in light of alarming statistics surrounding childhood obesity. Professor Kim Hyun-chang from Yonsei University pointed out that the increasing prevalence of obesity in children, especially in lower socioeconomic groups, is exacerbating health disparities within society. The issue has worsened consistently over the past decade, with obesity rates for elementary students rising by 67% and middle school students by 46% since 2015, despite the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on lifestyle choices.

The rise in obesity is attributed to several factors, among which sugary drinks, leading contributors to excessive sugar intake, have been highlighted. According to the 2019-2021 National Health and Nutrition Survey, about one-third of individuals aged 3 to 34 consume excessive sugar, with sugary carbonated beverages constituting the highest source of intake. In 2022, it was reported that more than half of high school students (53.4%) consumed sugary drinks at least three times a week, with sodas and energy drinks comprising significant portions of this consumption. Such statistics underline the critical need for preventive measures to tackle the childhood obesity epidemic in South Korea.