Asian countries observe World AIDS Day
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-01 21:57

In South Korea, nearly 10,000 students at 300 high schools in Seoul were given HIV lessons.

"In Korea, people tend to think AIDS is a problem that has nothing to do with them," said Cha Hei-sun of World Vision Korea, which sponsored the event along with the United Nation's Children's Fund. "People's awareness of the disease is really needed here."

North Korea on Thursday said none of its people are infected with the disease, but that some foreigners have tested HIV-positive and have been sent home at their request.

"Preventive measures against AIDS have been taken so thoroughly that people are leading a happy life free from its damage thanks to the public health policy of the government," the communist North's Minju Joson newspaper said in a report carried by its official Korean Central News Agency.

Meanwhile, 24 million of condoms were expected to be distributed in Thailand to help raise awareness there, said Public Health Minister Phinij Jarusombat.

In Vietnam, U.S. Ambassador Michael Marine said Wednesday more emphasis must be placed on making sure the message reaches children to keep the disease from spreading into the general population.

"I think that education has to start very young," he said.

So far, the disease in Vietnam remains largely concentrated in high-risk groups, such as injecting drug users and sex workers, but health workers fear the virus will eventually spread to the general population and result in a major epidemic.

"It's certainly not sufficient to focus on HIV/AIDS one day a year," Marine said. "It's something that should be in the forefront of people's minds all the time."