HIV/AIDS Notification Status and Trends in the Republic of Korea, 2021-2025.

OBJECTIVES: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains a critical public health priority requiring sustained prevention, early diagnosis, and timely treatment. This surveillance report examined 5-year trends in newly notified HIV cases in the Republic of Korea (ROK) from 2021 to 2025. METHODS: Annual notification counts and demographic characteristics for 2021-2025 were examined using the "2025 Annual Report on the Notified HIV/AIDS" in the ROK, which compiles cases reported to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Transmission routes and testing motivations among Korean nationals were also summarized. RESULTS: A total of 973, 1,065, 1,005, 975, and 927 newly notified HIV cases were reported in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, respectively, with the number declining continuously after 2022. The proportion of foreign nationals increased from 20.9% (203/973) in 2021 to 28.9% (268/927) in 2025. Among the 4,945 cases notified during the 5 years, 4,468 (90.4%) were male, and 3,259 (65.9%) were aged 20-39 years. Among respondents to the transmission-route item, male-to-male sexual contact accounted for 1,647 cases (60.7%), whereas heterosexual contact accounted for 1,053 cases (38.8%). Voluntary testing was the most common testing motivation, accounting for 1,052 cases (29.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Although the total number of newly notified HIV cases declined after 2022, the proportion of foreign nationals increased, while males and persons aged 20-39 years remained predominant among newly notified cases. Prevention efforts should strengthen promotion of pre-exposure prophylaxis, access to HIV testing, and timely linkage to treatment among young adults, males, and populations at increased risk. Tailored multilingual prevention, testing, counseling, and treatment-linkage services should also be expanded for foreign nationals.