Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday urged the nation to engage in an open discussion about his proposal to introduce a levy on sugar-laden foods and drinks. He emphasized that the initiative aims to reduce sugar consumption and enhance public health care.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee's comments were made in a social media post, following his recent suggestion of implementing a sugar levy to curb sugar intake and increase funding for public health care, drawing parallels with an existing 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 stated.

In his post on X, Lee referenced a news article that highlighted the World Health Organization's recommendations for countries to increase the price of sugar-laden soft drinks and beverages by at least 50 percent. He clarified that the sugar levy is specifically designed to address excessive sugar consumption, which poses a threat to public health, distinguishing it from a general tax.

While Lee is open to differing opinions, he firmly opposes opposition based on distortion and misrepresentation. "We should ensure that people can express opposing views confidently in the public forum," Lee expressed. "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."