Objectives : To obtain reference values for the pulmonary asbestos and non-asbestos fiber contents of residents in Korea and to compare them with similar results from Japan. Methods : The autopsied lung specimens from 22 deceased people (20 males and 2 females) in Pohang, without any known occupational history of asbestos exposure, were analyzed for incidence of asbestos and non-asbestos fibers by transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis after using low temperature ashing procedures. Results : Chrysotite fiber (46.2%) was the major fiber type found in the lungs of the subjects. The asbestos fiber concentrations found in males and females were $0.09 imes10^6$ fiberss(g of dry lungs) and $0.30 imes10^6$ fibers/(g of dry lungs), respectively, showing a geometric mean concentration $0.09 imes10^6$ fibers/(g of dry lung tissue), due to the predominance of males in the sample. The non-asbestos fiber contents in males and females were $4.61 imes10^6$ fibers/(g of dry lungs) and $17.79 imes10^6$ fibers/(g of dry lungs), respectively, with a geometric mean concentration $5.21 imes10^6$ fibers/(g of dry lung tissue). Conclusions : Residents in Pohang had significantly lower levels of both asbestos and non-asbestos fibers than urban residents in Korea. Furthermore, Koreans had significantly lower levels of both asbestos and non-asbestos fibers than Japanese.