Overview
- President Lee Jae Myung used X to propose a levy on sugar, citing the tobacco surcharge model and suggesting revenues be reinvested in regional and public health care.
- The People Power Party criticized the idea as a regressive indirect tax that could raise prices and fail to deliver health gains if companies switch to other sweeteners.
- Cheong Wa Dae said it will gather views on expected health effects and possible uses of proceeds, signaling that the concept remains at the consultation stage rather than formal legislation.
- A senior policy official said the measure has been under internal review for two months, and the National Assembly has scheduled a Feb. 12 forum on excessive sugar consumption.
- A Seoul National University survey found roughly 8 in 10 respondents favor taxing companies that use excessive sugar, with very high support for warning labels, and reports note over 120 countries have adopted similar policies in line with WHO guidance.