The South Korean government is set to launch a pilot program for providing free sanitary pads to all women in need, irrespective of income, starting in July. This initiative aims to ease the financial burden associated with purchasing menstrual products. On July 10, the Minister of Gender Equality and Family, Won Min-kyung, announced the details at a cabinet meeting, outlining that about ten local governments will be selected to implement the 'Public Sanitary Pad Dream' (tentative name) project. While some local governments have previously operated their own vending machines for sanitary pads, this marks the first time the government will extend the program at a national level.

The support will not be limited based on income, as the government allocates a budget of around 3 billion KRW for purchasing sanitary pads. Local governments will manage the inventory and placement of these vending machines in public facilities such as community centers, welfare centers, libraries, health centers, and youth entrepreneurship centers, ensuring accessibility in various local contexts. This follows President Lee Jae-myung's instruction in January to explore measures to address the high prices of sanitary products, emphasizing the need for a supportive and comprehensive approach to ensuring all women have access to necessary health products.

Following the pilot program, which will run until December, the government plans to analyze the results before implementing a full-scale project in the following year. The existing program providing vouchers for sanitary products to vulnerable young women aged 9 to 24 will continue, highlighting the continuing commitment of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to address the menstrual health needs of women in South Korea. Minister Won emphasized the significance of this initiative as Korea's first public sanitary pad program, aiming to enhance accessibility and safety for all women.