An air pollution monitoring station has been operated at Tokchok Island since April 1999 to characterize the background atmosphere in the vicinity of the Yellow Sea. In this study, eight chemical species in PM$_{2.5}$ and three gaseous species were analyzed. A total of 53 samples were collected for the analysis of PM$_{2.5}$ and gaseous species from April, 1999 to April, 2001. The overall mean mass concentration of PM$_{2.5}$ was 20.8 $mu extrm{g}$/㎥ and the eight soluble ionic species accounted for about 46.8% of PM$_{2.5}$ mass. Approximately 80% of samples appeared to experience the chloride loss effect. Air pollutant sources of PM$_{2.5}$ measured at Tokchok Island were qualitatively identified by the principal component analysis. It was found that five principal components are secondary aerosol, soil, incineration, phase change of nitrate, and ocean.and ocean.