Abstract
This report is the result of the analysis of data on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive cases reported in the year 2023. In 2023, 1,005 new cases of HIV infection were reported in the Republic of Korea. Of these, 749 people (74.5%) were Koreans and 256 (25.5%) were foreigners. Men accounted for 903 (89.9 %) of the total cases. By age group, those in their 30s accounted for 35.4% (356 people); those in their 20s, for 28.7% (288 people); and those in their 40s, 15.7% (158 people). Thus, people in their 20s and 30s accounted for 64.1% of the total. The reporting agencies included hospitals (637 cases, 63.4%) and public health centers (284 cases, 28.3%). The most common reason for HIV testing was voluntary testing, with 32.1% (228 people) and 99.6% (564 people) responding that their infection occurred through sexual contact. The number of new cases of HIV infection in 2023 increased by 5.7% (61 cases) compared to that in 2022. The number of Koreans infected decreased by 9.2% (76 cases), whereas the number of foreigners infected increased by 6.2% (15 cases). The number of foreigners infected is increasing annually, and identifying and continuously managing their epidemiological characteristics is essential. In March, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency established “The 2nd National Action Plan on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control (2024–2028)” and will actively pursue the goal of reducing new infections by 50% by 2030 compared to the rate in 2023.