Drying of raw ginseng root down to 35% moisture content required for extrusion process. There were two kinds of pre-treatments of raw ginseng root which were chopping and whole-root ginseng before frying at 80, 100 and 12$0^{circ}C$. Drying rate and physicochemical properties of dried ginseng were evaluated to determine optimum drying temperature for extrusion process. Drying time at 8$0^{circ}C$ to decrease to 35% moisture was 6.5 hr and ginsenoside content in dried ginseng at 8$0^{circ}C$ was lower than that of dried ginseng at 100 and 12$0^{circ}C$. Drying time at 100 and 12$0^{circ}C$ to decrease to 35% moisture was 5.5 and 3.5 hr and redness of dried ginseng powder was 5.20 and 7.23 respectively. Browness and redness of dried ginseng extract from 75% ethylene were significantly increased with the increase in drying temperature. Ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Rg1 and total saponin were also increased with the increase in drying temperature from 8$0^{circ}C$ to 10$0^{circ}C$, however, those were not significantly different with drying temperature at 100 and 12$0^{circ}C$. Drying temperature for extrusion process can be optimal at 10$0^{circ}C$.