Since 1985 when the first case of HIV was identified, the number of adults and children living with HIV has risen to an estimated 9,500 in 2009, up from 5,200 in 2001. Among the total in 2009, almost a third (2,900) were women, up from 1,600 in 2001. In addition, there have been an estimated less than 500 AIDS-related deaths and HIV prevalence in the general population has remained at less than 0.1%.[1]

One study in 2003 estimated that key affected populations include men who have sex with men (MSM), sex workers and their clients and those populations at lower risk include female partners of MSM and partners of clients of sex workers.[3]

The overwhelming majority (94%) of newly reported cases in 2007 occurred among men. The primary mode of transmission of HIV cases reported from 1985 to 2007 was heterosexual sex at 51%, followed by homosexual sex at 33%.[2] The HIV prevalence among men in Korea who identify themselves as homosexual or bisexual is 6%. This is 66 times higher than the HIV infection rate among those in the general population who have sexually transmitted infections – another group that is generally considered to be at higher risk of HIV infection.[4]

In 2003, it was estimated that the size of the SW population in Korea was between 200,711 and 208,740.11 The surveillance system that operated from 1999 to 2001 showed the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among SWs to be 0.038%, however it is presumed to be higher.[6] Although the sex trade is illegal, ever since 1985, the government has mandated that all registered SWs should be tested for HIV every six months.[5]

As of 2007, the country has been providing free, voluntary and anonymous HIV tests at public health centres with 251 locations nationwide.[2]

Sources

[1] UNAIDS. (2010). Global Report: UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic 2010.

[2] Republic of Korea. (2008). UNGASS Country Progress Report: Republic of Korea.   

[3] Yang Bong-Min, & Choi Un-Jung. (2004). Economic Impact of HIV/AIDS Infection in Korea. Paper presented at the 7th International AIDS Symposium.

[4] Griensven, F. v., Wijngaarden, J. W. d. L. v., Baral, S., et al. (2009). The Global Epidemic of HIV Infection among Men Who Have Sex with Men. Current Opinion in HIV and AIDS, 4, 300–307.

[5] Shin, S. (2006). Republic of Korea. In T. Yamamoto & S. Itoh (Eds.), Fighting a Rising Tide: The Response to AIDS in East Asia (pp. 156-171). Tokyo: Japan Center for International Exchange.