By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In South Korea, infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) are experiencing a record-breaking surge, with the number of cases in 2025 already surpassing the total from the previous year. Data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) indicates a consistent upward trend since 2018, with the elderly population disproportionately affected, particularly those in long-term care facilities. This rise underscores the challenges posed by antibiotic resistance, as healthcare settings serve as critical points of CRE transmission, necessitating interventions like the upcoming Third National Antimicrobial Resistance Management Plan for 2026-2030, which addresses antibiotic usage and infection control. South Korea’s high antibiotic consumption rate among OECD nations further emphasizes the urgency of these efforts.
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‘Superbugs’ surge to record levels in South Korea, with infections near 45,000, is a headline that certainly grabs your attention, doesn’t it? It’s the kind of news that makes you stop and think, especially when you consider how interconnected the world is these days. The rapid spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, or “superbugs,” isn’t just a problem confined to South Korea; it’s a global threat.
The heart of the issue stems from the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. It appears South Korea has a long-standing practice of over-prescribing these medications, often for relatively minor ailments. People there seem to treat antibiotics like a quick fix, akin to the way some Westerners take over-the-counter pain relievers. This casual approach creates the perfect environment for bacteria to adapt and develop resistance. This has been brewing for a while, and it seems the consequences are now coming to light.
Think about it – antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria. When they’re used frequently, and sometimes unnecessarily, the bacteria that survive are the ones that have figured out how to withstand the drug. These resistant strains then multiply and spread, making infections harder and harder to treat. This is why it’s not just a matter of South Korea alone, it’s something that we should be worried about across the board.
The situation is likely exacerbated by cultural factors. In South Korea, there’s a strong emphasis on respecting authority, including medical professionals. Patients may be hesitant to question a doctor’s prescription, even if they suspect it’s not the right course of treatment. This, combined with the perception that antibiotics are a universal cure, leads to continued overuse. You can see how that plays a role in the problem.
Of course, the potential consequences are serious. If we lose the ability to effectively treat bacterial infections, we could face a return to the pre-antibiotic era, where even minor infections could be life-threatening. The medical community is working on solutions like bacteriophages. But those are long-term projects and we have a very real problem that has to be fixed now.
Adding to the complexity, the rise of superbugs isn’t just a South Korean phenomenon. It’s been building in other parts of the world, especially in countries where antibiotics are readily available over the counter, or where their use isn’t strictly regulated. We’re talking about places like China, where similar patterns of antibiotic use have been observed for years. The impact of low birth rates and aging populations in these regions could also make things worse, as older people are often more vulnerable to infections.
It’s easy to feel a sense of dread when faced with this information. It’s a bit like climate change, in that the problem is well-known, and we’ve been warned about it for decades, but it’s still being largely ignored. It’s a market failure. The development of new antibiotics is expensive, and they don’t necessarily generate the huge profits that pharmaceutical companies seek, so investment in this area is limited.
The reality is that we’re dealing with a complex issue that requires a multi-pronged approach. More responsible prescribing practices are crucial. But it’s also necessary to educate the public about the appropriate use of antibiotics. This includes things like emphasizing that antibiotics don’t work on viruses, promoting good hygiene to prevent infections in the first place, and exploring alternative treatments.
The solution requires government intervention, incentivizing the development of new antibiotics and fostering international cooperation to share information and resources. This issue has the potential to impact us all, and it’s something that needs to be addressed with urgency and seriousness.