Hypertension is characterized by multiple genetic and environmental factors. To establish the genetic basis of hypertension in Koreans, we investigated the genetic variations of dopamine D3 receptor (DRD3) gene in the Korean patients with hypertension and normotensive controls. There were no significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of Bal I RFLP in the DRD3 gene between two groups, respectively (P > 0.05). Our finding shows lack of association between a genetic marker of DRD3 gene and hypertension, suggesting that the genetic variation of DRD3 gene does not playa major role in the determination of hypertension in Korean population. Further studies in other ethnic groups will be required.