South Korea: 2.2 People Get HIV per Day

On Thursday, the Korea Center for Disease and Prevention (KCDC) said an average of 2.2 people per day became infected with HIV in the first half of this year. The number of people known to have become infected from January through June - 398, 370 men and 28 women -- is up 25.6 percent from the same period last year, when 317 were diagnosed.

From 1985, when South Korea began to document HIV/AIDS cases, 4,227 people have been diagnosed. Of those, 773 have died and 3,454 are still alive. The number of new cases has climbed over the years -- from 219 in 2000 to 327 in 2001, 398 in 2002, 534 in 2003, 610 in 2004 and 680 in 2005.

Of the 398 people diagnosed so far this year, 202 were infected sexually, KCDC said. Of the men, 100 were infected heterosexually, and 84 were infected homosexually. Eighteen of the females were infected through intercourse with men. By age group, those in their 30s accounted for the most cases, 33.4 percent.

Since last year, KCDC has offered anonymous HIV tests in counseling centers set up in major cities nationwide. A KCDC official said, "Using a condom is the best way to prevent HIV/AIDS infection. Also, people who are not aware of their own infection could spread the disease to others, so those who suspect they carry the disease should voluntarily undergo medical checkups."

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