An intensive field study was carried out during Aug. 1993 in Seoul to study the characteristics of summertime visibility and diurnal trend of ionic composition of ambient particles. A transmissometer, nephelometer with heated and unheated inlets, PM3 fine particle sampler, and cascade impactor were used to measure optical and particle properties of ambient air. During this study period, a weak smog episode has occurred. Light scattering by particles is the most dominant factor on total light extinction. The effect of light absorption by particles in Seoul is much higher than other major cities in U.S.A. throughout the summer and fall with relatively constant values. The effect of water on $b_{sp}$ was small during the period. The particle size distribution shows a typical bimodal one. Sulfate, ammonium, chloride, and nitrate are the major chemical species in fine fraction aerosols, about 30% of toral mass concentration. Concentraion of sulfate is higher during the daytime while those of nitrate and chloride are higher during the nighttime. Ammonium concentration is constant through the daytime.