Korea Rolls Out Free Public Pads as Retailers Launch 100-Won Products

South Korea is rolling out free public sanitary pads and pushing new low-cost options after growing debate over affordability. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family plans a pilot to place pad dispensers in public facilities such as community service centers, health centers, and libraries, with a budget of about 3 billion won, then aims to expand next year. At the same time, retailers have launched ultra-low priced pads priced around 99–100 won per pad, after the president raised concerns about high costs. Safety checks cover all products.