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The count of patients infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, specifically CRE (carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae), commonly known as “superbacteria,” which are unaffected by antibiotics, has been found to have risen 2.3 times in the last five years. In the same timeframe, the number of fatalities increased by 3.7 times.

As per information provided by Rep. Han Ji-a of the People Power Party, obtained from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the 14th, the count of CRE infection cases in South Korea was 5,717 in 2017, the year the tracking started. This number gradually rose to 18,113 in 2020 and climbed to 42,347 cases in the previous year. The death toll, which stood at 226 in 2020, also jumped to 838 last year.

CRE stands for intestinal bacteria that exhibit resistance to “carbapenem antibiotics,” which are among the most commonly used and effective types of antibiotics. When these bacteria become resistant to carbapenems, it becomes extremely challenging to treat infections because most other antibiotics also prove ineffective. These bacteria can spread to various parts of the body, leading to conditions such as pneumonia, sepsis, and urinary tract infections, and they can be deadly, with mortality rates ranging from 26% to 75%. In 2017, CRE was classified as a Class 2 statutory infectious disease. Last year, it caused the highest number of deaths (838) among all statutory infectious diseases, surpassing the second-highest, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS, 158), by more than five times.

Some critics argue that the overuse of antibiotics is contributing to the increase in CRE. This occurs because the more antibiotics are administered, the greater the chance that bacteria in the intestines become resistant. According to data provided to Rep. Han Ji-a by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, the number of antibiotic prescriptions in South Korea rose by roughly 60% between 2020 and 2024, going from 347.67 million cases to 555.17 million cases. Simply based on the domestic population, this translates to each person receiving an average of around 10 antibiotic prescriptions annually. Medical professionals have also emphasized the importance of the government implementing policies to ensure hospitals effectively manage infections and use antibiotics appropriately, in order to prevent intestinal bacteria from becoming resistant.

CRE infections mainly affect people with compromised immune systems, including the elderly and those who are hospitalized for extended periods. These infections are frequently spread within healthcare facilities. This happens due to direct contact with infected individuals or with medical equipment that has been contaminated. Although the number of infections in tertiary general hospitals dropped by about 19%, from 13,443 cases in 2023 to 10,905 cases in 2024, nursing homes experienced a significant rise, increasing from 1,485 cases in 2020 to 8,940 cases last year.

Medical professionals have raised alarms about the potential increase in patients suffering from CRE infections in the coming years. A report released by the UK government predicts that by 2050, 10 million people globally could die each year due to superbugs resistant to antibiotics. Professor Lee Jae-gap, from the Department of Infectious Diseases at Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, noted, “CRE is believed to have been introduced into South Korea around 2010 from abroad,” and added, “Although there are various antibiotic-resistant bacteria, CRE is spreading quickly and is a problem that must not be ignored.” Representative Han Ji-a highlighted, “Currently, only 130 hospitals are being monitored by the government for proper antibiotic use. It is essential to create a management system that can simultaneously track the prevalence of CRE infections and the appropriate use of antibiotics.”

※ This article has been translated by Upstage Solar AI.