Last year, 927 new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections were reported in Korea, down 4.9% from the previous year. However, 66% of new infections were concentrated among people in their 20s and 30s, and the share of foreign nationals increased from a year earlier.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said on the 30th that it published the 2025 HIV/AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) surveillance yearbook.
According to the yearbook, 927 new HIV infections were reported last year, 48 (4.9%) fewer than in 2024 (975). By nationality, 659 were Korean (71.1%) and 268 were foreign nationals (28.9%). The share of foreign nationals among new infections increased by 2.2 percentage points from the previous year.
By sex, males accounted for most cases at 822 (88.7%). Among male infections, Koreans were more numerous at 638 (77.6%), but among the 105 female infections, foreign nationals accounted for a larger share at 84 (80.0%).
By age, people in their 30s were the most numerous at 381 (41.1%), followed by those in their 20s at 231 (24.9%) and 40s at 134 (14.5%). People in their 20s and 30s accounted for 66.0% of all new infections. There was one reported case of mother-to-child transmission.
By reporting institution, hospitals and clinics accounted for the most at 565 (61.0%), followed by public health centers at 298 (32.1%), and other institutions such as correctional facilities, blood centers, and the Military Manpower Administration at 64 (6.9%).
Among the 649 people who responded in epidemiological investigations, voluntary testing was the most common reason at 207 (31.9%). It was followed by tests to identify the cause of illness at 170 (26.2%) and tests conducted during surgery or hospitalization at 146 (22.5%).
Of the 529 people who answered about their infection route, 524 (99.1%) said they were infected through sexual contact. Shared drug injection accounted for 5 (0.9%). Among those infected through sexual contact, same-sex contact accounted for 328, or 62.6% of all sexual-contact infections.
As of last year, there were 17,557 people living with HIV/AIDS in Korea, up 535 from the previous year (17,022). Among them, 2,294 (13.1%) were 65 or older, up from the previous year (2,077, 12.2%), showing a trend of increasing share among older patients.
HIV is a virus that attacks the human immune system and is transmitted through direct contact with an infected person's blood or bodily fluids. It is not transmitted through handshakes, everyday contact, or simply drinking beverages mixed with saliva. If immune function declines significantly after infection, it can progress to AIDS, accompanied by various infections or cancers, and in severe cases can be fatal.
However, HIV is no longer regarded only as a "death sentence." In the past, HIV infection was recognized as a disease that inevitably led to AIDS and death, but with advances in antiretroviral therapy, it is now recognized as a chronic condition that can be managed with consistent treatment and care. People with HIV can take daily medication and manage their health throughout their lives, and cases of HIV progressing to AIDS have decreased markedly compared with the past.
Prevention strategies are also being strengthened. A representative example is "PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)." It involves people at high risk for HIV taking medication in advance to prevent infection, and in Korea an oral pill taken once daily is currently available. The preventive effect is known to be around 99%. Recently, with the development of a long-acting preventive injection administered twice a year, once every six months, prevention options have expanded further.
In line with the Second AIDS Prevention and Control Plan (2024-2028) released last year, the disease agency is promoting support for pre-exposure prophylaxis and expanding HIV testing. The goal is to halve the number of new HIV infections by 2030 compared with 2023.
Im Seung-gwan, commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said, "In line with the Second AIDS Prevention and Control Plan (2024-2028), we will continue to promote support for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and the expansion of HIV testing," adding, "To prevent infection, avoid unsafe sexual contact, and if you suspect infection, get tested and treated promptly."