The genetic of a recently described virus, hepatitis G virus(HGV) was investigated. HGV envelope 1 (E1) nucleotide sequences isolated from six Korean hepatitis b virus-positive patients by using a reverse transcription-poly-merase chain reaction procedure, were analysed and compared to the seven previously reported HGV isolates. Sequence homology among the Korean isolates was 88-97% whereas among the isolates from different geographic areas was 80-92%, indicating geographical divergence of HGV. Nucleotide substitutions spread uniformly throughiut the E1 fragment. Furthermore, compared to the prototype HGV sequence, frameshift mutations were observed in most of the Korean isolating that a different translating initiation site for the polyprotein exists in the Korean type HGV.