(image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, July 15 (Korea Bizwire) — The number of people who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) through same-sex sexual contact is gradually increasing in South Korea.
Among those who were infected with HIV or AIDS last year through sexual contact, more than half of them were infected through same-sex sexual contact, exceeding the number generated by heterosexual sexual contact.
This was the first time in Korea that the number of new HIV infections through same-sex sexual contact exceeded that of heterosexual sexual contact.
According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on July 14, the number of new HIV/AIDS infections stood at 1,222 last year, consisting of 1,005 Koreans and 217 foreigners.
This figure is up 1.3 percent (16) from a year ago, the highest total reported since the government started compiling related data in 1985.
Among new HIV/AIDS infections, men accounted for 90.9 percent (1,111) and women 9.1 percent (111).
By age group, people in their 20s accounted for 35.8 percent, followed by those in their 30s at 27.9 percent, 40s at 16.5 percent, and 50s at 10.6 percent. Those in their 20s and 30s accounted for the largest share at 63.7 percent.
Among the newly infected Koreans (1,005), 81.7 percent (821) said they were infected through sexual contact.
Among them, 53.8 percent (442) were infected through same-sex sexual contact, higher than the number infected through heterosexual sexual contact.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
