I have been in South Korea for a week as the guest of the Korea Federation of HIV/AIDS Prevention.  This small but hospitable country is in the news but not about AIDS.  According to the official figures only 4,000 cases of HIV/AIDS exist -- a very small number out of a population of 48 million (North Korea denies they have any problem at all but it is known that peasants forcibly returned from China and young military recruits who visit sex workers have some exposure to HIV). 

Yet what do these numbers signify?  Some researchers and colleagues in Geneva and Cambridge argue that the low numbers are only the tip of the iceberg.  The truth of the matter is that we can only see the obvious, not what is hidden.  And I always tell young people, "You can't see HIV.  You can't look at someone and know their status."  Only a blood test can verify HIV and statistics can be made to fit any agenda.  Because the number of HIV cases among youth is unknown (less than .05% of teens are ever tested, and those being tested might not be representative of sexually active young people, we are flying blind on the actual statistics).  Adolescent HIV is simply off the radar screen -- it is hidden from public view.  And some adults prefer it that way.  Not me!

My hat is off to the Korean HIV/AIDS Federation.  I have witnessed some excellent peer education programs in two of their middle schools (ages 14 and 15).  Many countries (including many U.S. communities) do not offer similar education like here.  The teens are given the medical facts and are encouraged to talk to friends.  For a traditionally "shy" culture, this health information challenges long-standing taboos.  However, there are limits to the details.  That's where I come in.  My approach is proactive -- in your face but definitely not rude or crude.  My AIDS Attacks on the streets of Korea and globally are designed to start conversations where previously none or very few have existed.  By getting teens to hear "AIDS" and passing out my Korean-language business cards with HIV prevention information on the back, they are confronted with the news about a little discussed public problem.  On my cards (translated in to every country's language) there's this line:  "Shy = Die;  If you are to shy to talk with friends about HIV, some will die of AIDS."

My AIDS Attacks have caught the attention of youth and adults alike.  A major TV station, EBS has produced a two-hour rock concert (airing May 28) that features the top Korean rock stars and you guessed it, me and some peer educators.  I didn't understand the entire introduction when I went on stage to applause, but I did make out "Santa Claus" and "Uncle John."  In Confucian-influenced society, age and the role of an educator are revered. I was asked to explain the peer education model of PeerCorps and why I thought teens talking to friends was the most effective way to deliver HIV prevention news.  They showed a minute or two of my AIDS Attacks from India, South Africa and the U.S. in an MTV-like flashy video that made me feel like Mick Jagger, sort of an aging rock star who can still connect with a youthful audience.

Signed Protocol

On May 21, I signed an official collaboration protocol with Dr. Moon Ok Ryun, President of the Korea Federation of HIV/AIDS Prevention and famous Professor of Public Health at Seoul National University considered the "Harvard" of Korea.  Together with TeenAIDS, our organizations will collaborate on producing web material and printed manuals in English/Korean to train young peer teachers.  He has agreed to join our Global AIDS Board and I have been appointed a Senior Advisor of KFHAP.  The trip was put together by Mr. Hoonsoo Kim, Executive Director of the KFHAP.

Below are thumbnails of the official agreement signed (click on the thumbnails to view the full image):