![[Photo courtesy of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council] - Seoul Economic Daily Society News from South Korea](https://wimg.sedaily.com/news/cms/2026/09/07/news-p.v1.20260907.94606134fcaa4aed981451cdfb86a613_P1.png "Gyeonggi Council Member Urges Caution on Menstrual Product Budget Cut")
SUWON — A Gyeonggi Provincial Council member has raised concerns that a proposed cut to the province's universal menstrual product program for female adolescents could leave some recipients without support.
Council member Jeon Ja-young of the Democratic Party, who represents Yongin's 4th district, questioned the appropriateness of a 1.9 billion won reduction in the program's funding during a review of the second supplementary budget bill for 2026, according to the council member on the 7th. The questioning took place at the first meeting of the Women, Family and Lifelong Education Committee during the council's 393rd extraordinary session.
Jeon said officials should confirm whether the number of applicants and the actual execution rate from last year were sufficiently reviewed in adjusting the budget. Because execution rates for the program have been high in many of the province's cities and counties, Jeon said it is unreasonable to determine the size of the cut by assuming annual demand based only on the disbursement rate recorded so far.
"Considering last year's application volume and spending results, the 1.9 billion won cut could leave adolescents who need support without benefits," Jeon said. The council member called for the size of the reduction to be reconsidered by weighing last year's spending outcome, this year's application trend and additional demand expected through the end of the year.
Jeon acknowledged the need to adjust budgets in line with fiscal conditions but said support that adolescents need should not be halted or delayed. The higher a program's execution rate, the more closely actual demand should be examined before deciding whether to make adjustments, Jeon said.
"We must ensure that the purpose of the universal menstrual product support program for female adolescents is not shaken," Jeon said. "We need to re-examine whether the budget cut matches actual demand so that support reaches the adolescents it is intended for without disruption."
