The present invention provides a stainless steel having superior corrosion
resistance, antibacterial properties, and durability, the antibacterial
properties being maintained after surface treatments commonly performed
including, for example, polishing. In particular, the stainless steel
contains not less than 10 percent by weight of chromium, 0.001 to 0.30
percent by weight of silver, or further contains 0.001 to 1.0 percent by
weight of vanadium. In addition, not less than 0.0005 weight percent of a
silver oxide, the amount thereof being not more than 1.1 times that of the
silver, is dispersed in the stainless steel. In order to homogeneously
disperse the silver oxide in the stainless steel, when continuous casting
of molten steel is performed, the casting rate for the continuous casting
is preferably 0.8 to 1.6 m/min. A method for manufacturing the stainless
steel is also disclosed.