The current state and outlook of HIV infection and AIDS in South Korea

Abstract

Background: Over the past decade, approximately 1,100 newly diagnosed cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have been reported annually in South Korea, with 1,066 newly diagnosed cases reported in 2022. A decrease in HIV infection rate can be achieved only through coordinated prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. South Korea is lagging in the worldwide decreasing trend of HIV infection, and a brief review of this situation may suggest improvements necessary for progress. Current Concepts: In South Korea, the proportion of patients with CD4 cell count below 200 cells/mm3 at initial diagnosis of HIV infection remains high, suggesting that a significant population is diagnosed at the late stage of the disease. Since 2019, the Korean National Health Insurance Service began to cover the cost of pre-exposure prophylaxis for sexual partners of patients living with HIV, but few have started the regimen due to several barriers. Insurance criteria for a prophylaxis regimen should be modified, and accessibility to the regimen should be made available through multiple pathways. Proactive use of rapid HIV testing kits in community health centers and clinics should be expanded. Legal and administrative environments encouraging voluntary testing, early diagnosis, and treatment should be fostered. Medical personnel must be able to offer medical care without discrimination regardless of HIV infection status. Discussion and Conclusion: The HIV epidemic in South Korea has not yet decreased. To end it, efforts should be required across broad areas, including voluntary HIV testing, early diagnosis, active pre-exposure prophylaxis, a stigma- and discrimination-free social environment, and changes in legal and medical environments.