South Korea Faces Record Surge in Superbug Infections Amid Antibiotic Overuse
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.
John Q. Hosedrinker