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No restrictions for people with HIV/AIDS.
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HIV-specific entry and residence regulations for Korea (South)
Editor’s note
The 2010 announcement by UNAIDS was obviously premature as we had many reports about continued restrictions after this announcement. In July 2017, the South Korea Ministry of Justice finally announced that English teachers would no longer be screened for HIV during the visa application process. Restrictions are history since.
Entry and residence regulations
UNAIDS announced that the Republic of Korea has lifted entry restrictions based on HIV status by 1 January 2010. The Government of South Korea has not released official communication to confirm this.
(Source: 1)
There are no restrictions for entry or work in South Korea. Specifically, there used to be issues with being fired if you were found to be HIV-positive. A landmark court case in which a New Zealand HIV-positive woman challenged her employer on firing her for refusal to take an HIV test sparked judicial review which deemed forced or mandated HIV testing to be unconstitutional. So as of now, teachers for the E2 and E 1 visas do not need to be tested, but they should still take care because some schools still subversively test as part of health check-ups. It isn't legal and if they are asked, they can refuse.
Given how HIV is still stigmatised in South Korea, treatment accessibility for foreigners is not public information.
(Source: 2)
Regarding HIV/AIDS restrictions, the Department of State is unaware of any such entry restrictions for visitors or foreign residents in Korea.
(Source: 3)
HIV treatment information for Korea (South)
A person seeking treatment has to go to a hospital and after seeing an infection control specialist, they will be required to pay for a battery of blood tests. Prices can vary but on the low end, approximately close to 425 USD. When these results return confirming that the patient is HIV-positive, they will be put into a national database and assigned a case-worker that will help them make appointments for check-ups and bloodwork on a six-month basis. That national database is to make sure that the person accesses pharmaceutical treatment and doctor visits. They are also very good about protecting the privacy of patients to ensure that no negative flashback from the community occurs or no word can get back to the person's employer about treatment.
Medication is provided freely, paid for by the state and the 6-month blood work is also paid for. You see your doctor every 3 months. The only issue is making sure that you are in a more metropolitan city so that there is a higher chance that your doctor speaks English
(Source: 2)
HIV information / HIV NGOs in Korea (South)
no source
Global Criminalisation of HIV Transmission Scan
The Global Criminalisation Scan is an initiative of GNP+. It aims to collect and keep up to date information on national and state level laws criminalising the transmission of or exposure to HIV. It also aims to provide an easily accessible ‘clearing-house’ of resources, research, and initiatives on the subject and to provide a platform for advocacy initiatives.
Find out more about the scan and the criminalisation of HIV transmission legislation at
http://criminalisation.gnpplus.net/.
Sources
- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon statement, January 4, 2010
http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2010/january/20100104travelrestrictions, consulted July 9, 2018
- User feedback, via e-mail, December 15, 2021
- U.S. State Department of State; Bureau of Consular Affairs; https://travel.state.gov / June 3, 2021; consulted January 20, 2022
updated: 1/20/2022
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