Mayor Jung Myunggeun of Hwaseong: "Public Sanitary Pads Are a Health Rights Policy... We Will Broaden Daily Welfare"

Hwaseong City invests 87.9 million won of municipal funds
164,000 public sanitary pads provided at 68 locations
Enhanced safety with organic cotton cover and individual packaging
"Peace of mind in emergencies"... Expanding welfare for daily life

Hwaseong Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Jung Myunggeun) has officially launched a public sanitary pad program for women's "emergency moments." Rather than simply providing sanitary pads, the city has developed its own product with a focus on quality, hygiene, and design, presenting a new model for welfare that is closely tied to daily life.

Jung Myunggeun, Mayor of Hwaseong Special City, is posing with Kim Dojin, CEO of Happy Monday Co., Ltd., holding a prototype of the Coriyo sanitary pad. Provided by Hwaseong City

On July 10, Hwaseong City announced that it has stocked a total of 164,000 "Koriyo sanitary pads" in 68 public facilities and begun operations. The project was funded entirely by the city, with a budget allocation of 87.9 million won.

This initiative was centered on public facilities that residents frequently use in their daily lives. Citizens can access the sanitary pads in emergencies at a total of 68 locations, including public libraries such as Namyang, Taean, and Byeongjeom Libraries, youth cultural centers, youth counseling and welfare centers, the Hwaseong Family Center, Naraeul Community Welfare Center, U&U Center, Hwaseong Arts Center, Dongtan Complex Cultural Center, Modunurim Center, as well as Hwaseong City Hall, four district offices, and 29 town, township, and neighborhood administrative welfare centers.

Hwaseong City did not compromise on quality just because the project is public. The pads are medium-sized with an organic cotton cover, as they come into direct contact with skin. To prevent deterioration from moisture, all products are individually packaged. The city also incorporated its mascot "Koriyo" into the design to reduce any psychological resistance residents may have to using public products.

Jung Myunggeun, Mayor of Hwaseong Special City, is visiting the U& I Center to inspect the preparations for stocking public sanitary pads. Photo by Hwaseong City

The initial response from citizens on the first day was also positive. According to the city, feedback included: "I didn't expect much from a public sanitary pad, but the quality is good," "The Koriyo design is familiar and friendly," and "It's very helpful when I suddenly need one."

The project budget included 34 million won for installing pad dispensers, 49.2 million won for purchasing, delivering, and packaging the sanitary pads, and 4.7 million won for promotional activities. A total of 164,000 pads are being supplied and distributed based on the demand at each facility.

Hwaseong City plans to analyze usage at each facility throughout July and adjust supply accordingly. Based on citizen usage data, the city will gradually expand the number of public facilities offering sanitary pads.

Public sanitary pads by Coriyo, a special city in Hwaseong. Provided by Hwaseong City

Mayor Jung Myunggeun stated, "The public sanitary pad project is a policy through which the public sector shares responsibility for citizens' health rights," adding, "We will continue to expand welfare services that residents can experience in their daily lives."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.