▲ President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a meeting with his top aides at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae on Jan. 29, 2026. (Yonahap)

Lee-sugar levy

Lee calls for wider public debate on sugar levy

By Kim Seung-yeon

SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday called for a candid and open public debate on his proposal to introduce a levy on sugar-laden foods and drinks, reiterating that the idea is intended to reduce sugar consumption and bolster public health care.

Lee made the remarks in a social media post, days after he proposed the idea of imposing a sugar levy to help curb sugar intake and boost public health care funding, citing a similar levy on tobacco.

"The more complex the issues we have -- such as the (proposed) sugar levy, a real estate tax overhaul and institutional reforms to ease polarization, all of which concern the interests of many stakeholders -- the more vital it is to have candid debate and public deliberation grounded in logic, facts and real cases," he said.

He cited in his X post a news article on the World Health Organization's recommendations that countries should raise the price of sugar-loaded soft drinks and beverages by at least 50 percent.

Lee emphasized that the sugar levy is for specific purposes to reduce excessive sugar consumption that can be harmful to public health and that the concept is different from a general tax.

While being open to differing opinions, Lee said he refuses to accept opposition based on distortion and misrepresentation of the matter.

"We should ensure that people can express opposing views confidently in the public forum," Lee said. "But I refuse blanket opposition or distortion to frame the issue as a tax hike for the sake of political gains while ignoring the country's future and the fair distribution of health insurance premiums."

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