Tetracycline resistant bacterial strains were isolated from 10 batches of Kimchi among 50 batches collected in Taegu restrict. The MIC of tetracycline ranged between 25 and> 100 ㎖/l. Total genomic DNA preparation from all 10 tetracycline resistant lactic acid bacterial isolates were subjected to PCR amplification with class-specific primers for tet(M) and tet(O). In only one isolate, HJ9, tet(M) was detected. By Southern blotting and hybridization with a tet(M)-specific probe, the tet(M) gene of HJ9 isolate could be localized on a plasmid. The partial nucleotide sequence and deduced amino acid sequence of tet(M) of HJ9 showed 90-99% and 94-100% homology to those of Gram positive bacteria, respectively. With sequencing of 16S rRNA, HJ9 isolate from Kimchi was identified as Lactobacillus sakei. From these results, Kimchi can be considered potential vehicle for the spread of antibiotic-resistant lactic acid bacteria along the food chain to the consumer.