Feb 12 • 09:23 UTC 🇰🇷 Korea Hankyoreh (KR)

The Growing Discussion on 'Sugar Tax'... 'If Consumption Decreases and Revenue is Zero, the Policy is Successful'

Discussions on implementing a sugar tax in South Korea are intensifying, aimed at reducing sugar consumption to improve public health.

The South Korean government, under President Lee Jae-myung, is initiating discussions about a 'sugar tax' on sugary drinks, proposing to direct the revenue towards public healthcare. Recently, bills have been introduced in the National Assembly to impose a tax of up to 280 to 300 won per liter of sugary beverages. Experts are advocating for this initiative, referencing a similar tax implemented in the UK in 2015 that successfully reduced sugar consumption and associated health problems like obesity and diabetes by significantly decreasing both the sales and sugar content in beverages. At a recent forum at the National Assembly Library, prominent health policy experts presented evidence supporting the necessity of a sugar tax. For instance, Professor Yoon Young-ho highlighted that excessive sugar intake contributes to obesity, diabetes, and even mental health issues such as depression. The forum was part of an ongoing dialogue among legislators and health advocates, discussing the implications of a sugar tax and its potential to foster healthier consumer choices by minimizing sugar consumption in the population. Advocates for the sugar tax argue that its success should be measured not by the revenue generated but by the decrease in sugar consumption, with the ultimate goal being a healthier society. The proposed funds would not just alleviate healthcare costs but also support preventive measures targeting childhood and adolescent obesity and bolster essential public health services. With legislative momentum gaining, the prospect of a sugar tax in South Korea appears increasingly likely, contingent on comprehensive discussions and stakeholder engagement that address public health priorities and economic consequences.

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