This study was carried out to investigate the chemical characteristics ol rainwater sampled in Cheju City from July 1994 to June 1996. Concentrations of major ions (Cl-,$SO_4^{2-}$, NO_3^-$, $Na^+$, $K^+$, Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$ and NH_4^+$) were determined. The pH of rainwater, calculated from the volume weighted H+ concentration, was found to be 5.61, indicating extensive neutralization of the acidity in the rain. The relative magnitude of average ionic concentrations followed the relation Cl-> $SO_4^{2-}$) $Na^+$> Ca^{2+}$> NH_4^+$> NO_3^-$> $Mg^{2+}$> $K^+$. The ions associated with sea salt, namely $Na^+$ and $Cl^-$, dominated the total concentration of ions in the rainwater and the $SO_4^{2-}$ ion accounts for 20% of total concentration. [H+][nss-SO42-+NO3] ratio and a multiple regression for $SO_4^{2-}$ and NO3- ions against $H^+$, $Ca^{2+}$ and $NH_4^+$ suggested that all of $SO_4^{2-}$ and $NO_3^-$ in rainwater was not necessarily associated with $H_2SO_4$ and $HNO_3$, but might also occur in combination with $NH_4^+$ or Ca^{2+}$. The monthly mean concentrations of $SO_4^{2-}$-, Ca^{2+}$ and $NH_4^+$ in spring time was higher than those in other seasons. These results may De attributed to the fertilizer application as the local sources and the yellow sand phenomina as a regional-scale sources.