This study, based on the monthly rainfall data, was carried out to determine the agricultural drought index which enables to describe the regional and seasonal drought characteristics of rice cropping system in Korea. The results obtained were summarized as follows ; 1.A new agricultural drought index (ADI) was evaluated seasonally according to the product of drought intensity and duration. This ADI is proposed as standard design criterion for irrigation planning. 2.The relationship between agricultural drought index and return periods was figured out. These diagrams could be used to estimate the seasonal drought severity of a certain year and to select design year corresponding to the specific drought frequency. 3.The regional drought characteristics were classified and those are useful to determine proper rice varieties and planting time and make drought counterplans. 4.Spring drought occurred once in 3 or 4 years and in a regional respect, rather frequently occurred in Seoul and Daegu areas than in Busan, Daejeon, Kwangju and Chuncheon areas. Summer drought occurred once in 5 years in Daegu and Busan areas and once in 7 or 8 years in other areas. 5.Sequential drought which gave severe drought damage of rice production occurred once in 20 years in Daegu area and in 10 years in Kwangju area.