PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) first reported on HIV in 1981. Following the first case diagnosed in a Korean national in 1985, approximately 1,000 new HIV infections have been reported annually in the Republic of Korea (ROK) [1]. In June 2021, The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) recommended expanding investment in prevention and treatment to achieve the targets of 95% of individuals living with HIV knowing their status, 95% of diagnosed individuals receiving treatment, and 95% of individuals on treatment achieving viral suppression, with the goal of ending AIDS by the year 2030 [2].

In ROK, following the enactment of the 「Prevention of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Act」 in 1987 [3], programs aimed at HIV prevention and the management and support of individuals living with HIV were formally launched. In particular, in 2019, the government established 「The national action plan on HIV/AIDS prevention and control」 on a 5-year cycle and is currently pursuing various programs to achieve the international goal of ending AIDS, alongside the domestic target of a 50% reduction in new infections by 2030 compared with 2023 levels. Thus, the aim of this report is to provide an overview of the national HIV/AIDS prevention and control program currently being pursued in ROK.

To review the national HIV/AIDS prevention and control program, documents including relevant laws and notifications such as the 「Prevention of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Act」 [3] and the 「Criteria for special cases for the calculation of partial patient cost sharing」 [4], as well as 「The national action plan on HIV/AIDS prevention and control」 [5], implementation plans for the national HIV/AIDS prevention and control program, and annual editions of the 「Guidelines for the management of HIV/AIDS」 [6] were utilized. This report summarizes the HIV/AIDS prevention and control programs that have been implemented as of 2025, including their initiation year, operational methods, implementing organizations, and program details.

The national HIV/AIDS prevention and control program in ROK includes HIV/AIDS prevention programs aimed at preventing new infections in key populations and reducing social stigma and discrimination, and providing support programs for individuals living with HIV to ensure continuous treatment, improve medication adherence, and uphold their right to health.

1. Established HIV/AIDS Prevention Programs

1) Operation of AIDS prevention centers

AIDS prevention centers were established in 2005 to induce changes in attitudes towards HIV/AIDS prevention and to prevent new HIV infections by providing comprehensive counseling, testing services, and education to key populations (e.g., gay, foreign nationals). The Korea Federation for HIV/AIDS Prevention operates a total of seven AIDS prevention centers: three Ivan Stop HIV/AIDS Project – (Jongno Center in Seoul, established 2005; Dong-gu Center in Busan, 2006; Itaewon Center in Seoul, 2018) and four Korea Federation for HIV/AIDS Prevention (Gireum Center in Seoul and Ansan Center in Gyeonggi-do, 2006; Busan Center, 2014; Itaewon Center in Seoul, 2018). The AIDS prevention centers provide routine HIV testing and individualized post-test counseling to key populations. They have also implemented various tailored programs to prevent new infections among key populations. These programs include outreach testing services and on-site campaigns in accessible locations, peer education and promotion for HIV prevention, and the distribution of prevention materials (condoms, lubricating gels).

2) Operation of the AIDS counseling center

The AIDS counseling center was established in 2011 to promote public health and reduce social stigma and discrimination by providing the general public with accurate information about HIV/AIDS transmission and the disease itself. It was operated by the Korean Association for AIDS Prevention from 2011 to 2024 and has been operated by the Order of Friars Minor since 2025. For the convenience of clients, the center operates continuously from Monday to Sunday (11:00 to 20:00), excluding public and substitute holidays. The center provides accurate HIV/AIDS-related information to the general public and people living with HIV. In addition, professional psychological counselors conduct tailored counseling sessions for each client group. To improve counseling accessibility for those residing outside of Seoul, the center provides face-to-face psychological counseling by connecting them with counseling centers or counselors in five regions: Seoul, the Seoul Metropolitan Area, Busan, Daegu, and Gwangju. For foreign residents, the center has partnered with a migrant interpretation center to provide simultaneous interpretation (in 16 languages, including English, Chinese, and Japanese) through multi-party calls or video calls, connecting them with medical interpreters.

In addition to in-person counseling, the AIDS counseling center offers remote counseling by telephone (1551-8105) and its website (www.aids114.or.kr).

3) HIV screening and pre-exposure prophylaxis support program for key populations

Taking into account the recommendations for the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in key populations both domestically and internationally, the effectiveness of government-led PrEP support programs abroad, and the persistent increase in new HIV infections among individuals aged 20 to 40 years in ROK, the HIV screening and PrEP support program for key populations was launched in Seoul and Busan in November 2024 and was expanded nationwide to 17 provinces and cities as of January 2025. In accordance with domestic and international PrEP guidelines, this program provides unlimited support to eligible individuals, including men who have sex with men, transgender women, individuals with partners living with HIV, and high-risk occupational groups (e.g., workers in entertainment establishments). Support includes full coverage of out-of-pocket expenses for HIV antigen/antibody tests, full coverage of out-of-pocket expenses for pre-PrEP screening (i.e., renal function test, hepatitis B antigen/antibody test, hepatitis C antibody test), and partial coverage of PrEP medication costs (i.e., all costs excluding a 60,000 KRW co-payment per month). To apply for support, eligible individuals visit a participating medical institution for consultation and a prescription and then submit the required documents to their jurisdictional public health center. The public health center reviews the documents and disburses the funds. Information on participating medical institutions and program-related materials can be found on the Ivan Stop HIV/AIDS Project (iSHAP) website (www.ishap.org).

2. Established Support Programs for People Living with HIV

1) Medical institution counseling program

The medical institution counseling program was launched in 2005 to reduce the risk of onward transmission by helping people living with HIV who visit medical institutions to adapt to their disease and improve their quality of life through professional counseling. Initially established at four medical institutions in 2005, the program has expanded to a total of 30 institutions, including the Seoul Medical Center, with 43 counseling nurses participating as of 2025 (Table 1). In this program, professional counseling nurses are placed in medical institutions with infectious disease departments to provide integrated services. These services include pre- and post-treatment counseling, medication management, and psychological support, such as reducing depression and anxiety and preventing suicide, to help people living with HIV maintain an optimal treatment status. Through this program, over 70% of people living with HIV in ROK receive treatment and support within the public support system. As a result, the viral suppression rate, defined as the proportion of individuals receiving treatment with a viral load below 1,000 copies/ml, remains above the 95% target set by the UNAIDS.

Table 1 Status of medical institutions participating in the people living with HIV counseling program (as of 2025)

No.	Region	Medical institution	Year of participation	Number of counseling nurses	No.	Region	Medical institution	Year of participation	Number of counseling nurses
1	Seoul	Konkuk University Medical Center	2018	1	16	Incheon Metropolitan City	Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital Bucheon	2018	1
2	Seoul	Korea University Guro Hospital	2005	1	17	Incheon Metropolitan City	Inha University hospital	2008	1
3	Seoul	Korea University Anam Hospital	2018	1	18	Gyeonggi-do	Korea University Ansan Hospital	2015	1
4	Seoul	National Medical Center	2006	5	19	Gyeonggi-do	Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital	2022	1
5	Seoul	Samsung Medical Center	2006	1	20	Gyeonggi-do	Ajou University Hospital	2012	2
6	Seoul	SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center	2013	1	21	Gangwon State	Wonju Severance Christian Hospital	2007	1
7	Seoul	Seoul National University Hospital	2024	2	22	Daejeon Metropolitan City	Chungnam National University Hospital	2010	1
8	Seoul	Asan Medical Center	2006	1	23	Chungcheongbuk-do	Chungbuk National University Hospital	2014	1
9	Seoul	Seoul Medical Center	2010	3a)	24	Chungcheongnam-do	Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital Cheonan	2022	1
10	Seoul	Severance Hospital	2005	2	25	Gwangju Metropolitan City	Chonnam National University Hospital	2010	2
11	Seoul	Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital Seoul	2018	2	26	Jeonbuk State	Jeonbuk National University Hospital	2011	1
12	Seoul	Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital	2024	1	27	Daegu Metropolitan City	Kyungpook National University Hospital	2010	2
13	Seoul	The Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital	2005	1	28	Busan Metropolitan City	Dong-a University Hospital	2012	1
14	Seoul	Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital	2011	1	29	Busan Metropolitan City	Pusan National University Hospital	2018	2
15	Seoul	Hanyang University Medical Center	2019	1	30	Gyeongsangnam-do	Gyeongsang National University Hospital	2013	1

^a)Including one general coordinator..

2) Long-term care and support program

With the aging of individuals living with HIV and the generalization of antiretroviral therapy, the need for community-based care services to ensure a dignified life in old age has emerged. In response, the government has supported programs for individuals living with HIV, starting with an in-home welfare service that provides material goods as of 2004 and expanded to include long-term care and support in 2020. This long-term care and support program, implemented by the Korean Association for AIDS Prevention, aims to provide essential services to maintain basic health rights and daily living for individuals with HIV who have lost functional ability, are estranged from family and friends, and face the burden of disease disclosure. It consists of caregiving support and in-home welfare support. The caregiving support service provides 24-hour care for up to 14 days for individuals with acute HIV infection who are hospitalized in medical institutions nationwide. And for patients with HIV/AIDS in long-term care hospitals who are beneficiaries of Type 1 or Type 2 Medical Aid, the program provides differentiated financial support, up to 510,000 KRW per month, for caregiving and infection control expenses. The in-home welfare support service targets residents of the Seoul Metropolitan Area (including Seoul and Gyeonggi-do) whose health has deteriorated, are psychologically vulnerable, or have lost economic stability due to HIV. The service provides in-home material goods (e.g., groceries, daily necessities), integrated in-home care (e.g., meal and cleaning support, home safety checks), and accompaniment to medical appointments for those with mobility difficulties.

3) Shelter operation program for people living with HIV

The shelter operation program aims to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV by providing short-term residents with lodging, meals, emotional support, and a foundation for stable self-reliance after discharge. Two shelters have been operated at different times: one in Daegu by the Korean Association for AIDS Prevention from 1999 to 2024, and one in Busan by the Public Health Department, The Salvation Army Korea Territory from 2008 to 2023. Since 2025, a shelter in Daegu has been operated by the Red Ribbon Social Cooperative. The shelter provides temporary residence for individuals needing respite, offers education to promote disease adaptation, provides health management guidance and psychological support, and runs self-reliance programs to help residents live independently in the community after discharge. It also offers ongoing management programs for former residents to support their social reintegration and treatment adherence.

4) Support program for vulnerable people living with HIV

This program, implemented by the Korea Catholic Red Ribbon since 2010, aims to improve medication adherence and quality of life for vulnerable people living with HIV in welfare blind spots, such as inmates and those without family ties. The program provides emergency assistance such as housing and transportation costs and daily necessities to vulnerable groups (e.g., homeless individuals, minors). For those in need of psychological stability, it offers in-person or telephone counseling. For individuals in correctional facilities, the program provides personal care items (e.g., snacks, undergarments), books, and correspondence support. Upon release, the program offers home-visit support services (e.g., household items, counseling) to promote continuous health management and self-reliance.

5) Financial assistance program for medical and treatment expenses

In accordance with the 「Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act」 and the 「Prevention of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Act」, the state has the responsibility to prevent and manage HIV/AIDS and to protect and support people living with HIV. The government has provided financial support for HIV/AIDS-related medical and treatment expenses since 1989. This program aims to contribute to public health promotion by enabling people living with HIV to maintain optimal treatment status and suppress their viral load, thus preventing onward transmission. Eligible recipients include Korean nationals and foreign residents with a confirmed HIV diagnosis and registered under their real names, anonymously registered individuals who apply to convert to real-name registration, healthcare workers who receive medical care after occupational exposure to the blood of a people living with HIV, and newborns of mothers living with HIV. The program covers the out-of-pocket co-insurance for insured services (10%, with special calculation exemption applied), fully non-covered costs, and specific-covered costs extracted from the total medical expenses incurred at a medical institution. This allows people living with HIV to receive HIV/AIDS-related consultation and treatment with no additional out-of-pocket expenses. However, for fully non-covered and specific-covered costs, a statement from the physician and a detailed invoice must be submitted to certify that the care was necessitated by HIV/AIDS. The annual support for HIV/AIDS medical expenses is limited to the health insurance out-of-pocket maximum. Payment can be made either through a reimbursement system, whereby the individual first pays the medical institution and is later reimbursed by the public health center, or through a post-payment system, whereby the medical institution directly bills the public health center on behalf of the individual.

The national HIV/AIDS prevention and control program in ROK has implemented prevention programs to avert new infections, such as testing, awareness, and PrEP support for key populations, as well as various support programs for people living with HIV to help them maintain a healthy life and adhere to continuous treatment, including long-term care and financial assistance for medical and treatment expenses. Provincial and municipal/district public health centers, medical institutions, and various civil society organizations collaborate to implement these programs. As a result, ROK has achieved the UNAIDS targets of more than 95% treatment coverage and 95% viral suppression, with positive outcomes from its support programs, including a reduction in AIDS-related mortality.

However, the number of new HIV infections has remained stable at approximately 1,000 annually for the past 5 years, showing no clear downward trend, with new infections among individuals in their 20s and 30s accounting for more than 60% of the total [1]. Although programs for preventing new HIV infections are being implemented, social stigma against key populations and the resulting strong tendencies toward insularity and anonymity have limited the proactive promotion of prevention efforts.

In response, in accordance with 「The 2nd national action plan on HIV/AIDS prevention and control (2024–2028)」 established in 2024 [5,7], initiatives to prevent new infections, such as the PrEP support program, have been designated as key tasks and are being implemented without interruption. The PrEP support program, a key task, is expected to reduce new HIV infections in ROK, as the U.S. CDC has reported that taking PrEP as prescribed reduces the risk of HIV infection from sexual activity by approximately 99% [8], and several countries, including the UK and Taiwan, have reported decreases in the incidence of new HIV infections following the active implementation of government-led PrEP support programs [9,10].

In the future, the effectiveness of prevention strategies will be enhanced by expanding outreach testing and campaigns centered on accessible venues and online communities for key populations. To enhance the PrEP support program and improve its accessibility, measures to increase the number of participating medical institutions and pharmacies will be actively explored in collaboration with experts and related organizations. Furthermore, to maintain treatment and viral suppression rates above 95% and to block onward transmission, efforts will be made to secure relevant budgets to eliminate blind spots in support for people living with HIV and to strengthen the collaborative framework with local governments and civil organizations, with the aim to achieve the goal of a 50% reduction in new infections by 2030 compared with levels in 2023.

Ethics Statement: Not applicable.

Funding Source: None.

Acknowledgments: None.

Conflict of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Author Contributions: Conceptualization: EYK. Data curation: EYK, EJO. Formal analysis: EYK. Investigation: EYK. Methodology: EYK. Project administration: EYK. Resources: EYK, EJO. Supervision: JHY. Writing – original draft: EYK. Writing – review & editing: EYK, EJO, JHH, JHY.