Using the MODerate resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) retrieved aerosol optical thickness (AOT) along with ground measurements of PM2.5 mass concentration, we assessed local air quality over Dukjuk and Jeju island and estimated possibility of satellite derived PM2.5 during nine intensive observation periods in 15 October 2005 - 24 October 2007. Averaged PM2.5 mass concentrations showed relatively variable as $25.61{pm}22.92{mu}g/m^3$ at Dukjuk and $17.33{pm}10.79{mu}g/m^3$ at Jeju. The maximum values of $188.89{mu}g/m^3$ (Dukjuk) and $50.46{mu}g/m^3$ (Jeju) were recorded during Asian dust storm day. Similarly, the maximum values of MODIS AOT were found as 3.73 (Gosan) and 1.14 (Jeju). Averaged MODIS AOTs at Dukjuk ($0.79{pm}0.81$) were larger than that at Jeju ($0.42{pm}0.24$). An empirical relationship between MODIS AOT and PM2.5 mass was obtained and results show that there was a good correlation between satellite and ground based values with a linear correlation coefficient of 0.85 at Dukjuk. The result clearly demonstrates that satellite derived AOT is a good surrogate for monitoring PM air quality over study area. However, meteorological and other ancillary datasets are necessary to further apply satellite data for air quality research.