South Korea records relatively high levels of both antibiotic use and resistance compared with major developed countries.
In the livestock sector, antibiotic sales remain high compared with other countries.
Government data showed that livestock antibiotic sales reached 240 mg/PCU in 2024, up from 217 mg/PCU in 2020. By comparison, the European average across 17 countries stood at 88.5 mg/PCU in 2023.
The resistance rate to third-generation cephalosporins in Escherichia coli isolated from chickens was 17.1% in Korea (2024), compared with 3.5% in the United States (2024) and 0.7% in Japan (2022).
In light of this, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced the Third National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (2026–2030).
It will lead seven ministries including the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF).
The new five-year roadmap places greater emphasis on measurable outcomes, specifically lowering antibiotic consumption and resistance rates in both human and non-human sectors.
Aligning with global standards
A central change is the adoption of an additional international indicator for measuring antibiotic sales in animals.
Korea currently reports sales intensity in milligrams per population correction unit (mg/PCU), but by 2029 it will also introduce milligrams per animal biomass (mg/Animal Biomass).
This is a metric recommended by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
By doing so, it aims to improve international comparability and strengthen transparency, particularly as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) becomes increasingly linked to sustainability standards and trade expectations.
Officials state that reducing overall antibiotic intensity in farming is necessary to protect treatment efficacy and align with evolving international standards.
Stricter veterinary prescription control
The plan said all antibiotics used in livestock and aquaculture must be administered under veterinary or aquatic animal health professional prescription.
Authorities will upgrade the national veterinary prescription management system to enable more precise calculation of antibiotic consumption volumes, improving traceability and policy evaluation.
At the same time, previously approved veterinary antibiotics, including dozens used in aquaculture, will undergo re-evaluation based on updated scientific standards for safety and efficacy.
The objective is to ensure that authorised products remain clinically justified and appropriately regulated.
The government will also develop educational materials promoting prudent antibiotic use in the expanding companion animal sector, reflecting growing antimicrobial exposure beyond commercial farming.
Expanding surveillance
Beyond usage controls, the strategy aims to reduce underlying antibiotic demand by strengthening disease prevention.
In livestock, vaccine guidance and development support will expand for production-limiting diseases such as porcine epidemic diarrhoea.
Facility modernisation support will be provided to 100 farms, with the aim of improving ventilation, biosecurity and overall disease resilience.
The number of certified organic and antibiotic-free livestock and fisheries operations, as well as farms compliant with HACCP safety standards, will increase to 850.
Officials said certification expansion was intended to encourage voluntary reductions in antibiotic reliance while strengthening consumer confidence.
