Park Joo-min Pledges Public Transit Access and Addresses Hair Loss Treatment in Seoul Mayoral Bid

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Park Joo-min, a candidate in the upcoming Seoul mayoral election, has outlined key policy proposals focusing on accessible public transportation and support for young adults experiencing hair loss. These announcements come as Park seeks to differentiate herself in a competitive race.

Free Public Transit Proposal

On March 9, 2026, Park Joo-min announced a plan to provide free access to public transportation for all citizens of Seoul, should she be elected mayor. The Korea Herald reported on this pledge, highlighting it as a central component of her campaign.

Addressing Hair Loss Concerns

Park Joo-min has also addressed the growing concern of hair loss among young adults. She proposed a “Seoul-type hair loss care” initiative, offering annual vouchers worth 200,000 won to individuals aged 19 to 39. These vouchers would be applicable to oral hair loss treatment drug costs and related medical expenses. This initiative builds upon a similar program first implemented in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, in 2023, which provided up to 200,000 won per person annually for oral hair loss treatments for residents under 39.

Previous Discussions on Hair Loss Treatment Support

Support for hair loss treatment gained prominence during the 2022 presidential election when then-candidate Lee Jae-myung, of the Democratic Party of Korea, proposed including hair loss treatments under national health insurance coverage. Though, this pledge was later removed from his final platform. The issue resurfaced in December 2023 when President Lee revisited the topic during a Ministry of Health and Welfare work report, suggesting consideration of support mechanisms due to the significant financial burden experienced by young people. His comments sparked debate, with some raising concerns about the financial implications for the health insurance system and the prioritization of resources.

Park Joo-min’s Political Background

Park Joo-min has served as a member of the National Assembly for Seoul Eunpyeong A since 2016. According to her Wikipedia profile, she is a three-term lawmaker with the Democratic Party of Korea, first elected in 2016. She has been a vocal advocate for various social issues and has established a reputation as a maverick politician.

Recent Developments and Criticism

On March 3, 2026, Park Joo-min responded to reports regarding the appointment of a new president for the Seoul Metropolitan Transportation Corporation, criticizing Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s actions as a power grab. As reported by The Korea Times, Park accused the mayor of attempting to maintain control until the next municipal government.

on March 13, 2026, President Lee Jae-myung publicly praised Park Joo-min, bolstering her campaign for the Seoul mayoral election. The Chosun Biz reported on this indicate of support.