1981 in South Korea

Events from the year 1981 in South Korea.

Incumbents

 * President: Chun Doo-hwan
 * Prime Minister: Nam Duck-woo

Events

 * September 30 - The International Olympic Committee awards the 1988 Summer Olympics to the city of Seoul, South Korea.

Births

 * 10 January - Brian Joo, singer-songwriter, actor and TV host
 * 14 January - Jung Woo, actor
 * 18 January - Gang Dong-won, actor
 * 21 January - Andy Lee, singer
 * 28 January - Lee Yu-ri, actress
 * 5 February - Lee Eon, actor and model (d. 2008)
 * 6 February - Shim Eun-jin, singer and actress
 * 10 February - Cho Yeo-jeong, actress
 * 14 February - Kim Hwan-sung, singer (NRG) (d. 2000)
 * 26 February - Song Hye-kyo, actress
 * 3 March
 * Eugene, singer and actress
 * Sung Yu-ri, singer and actress
 * 18 March - Jang Na-ra, singer and actress
 * 19 March - Kim Rae-won, actor
 * 1 April - Yeon Woo, singer
 * 8 April - Gummy, singer
 * 3 May - U;Nee, singer, rapper, dancer and actress (d. 2007)
 * 9 May - Kim Ji-hoon, actor
 * 12 May - Kim Tae-woo, singer
 * 28 July - Zo In-sung, actor
 * 15 August
 * Lee Sang-yoon, actor
 * Song Ji-hyo, actress, model and TV host
 * 22 August - Jang Hyun-kyu, footballer (d. 2012)
 * 9 September - Jung Jong-kwan, footballer (d. 2011)
 * 16 September - Lee Jin-wook, actor
 * 18 September - Han Ye-seul, actress
 * 29 September - Nam Hyun-hee, fencer
 * 23 October - Shoo, singer and actress
 * 30 October - Jun Ji-hyun, actress and model
 * 6 November - Lee Dong-wook, actor, TV host and model
 * 25 December - Lee Young Hyun, singer (Big Mama)
 * 26 December - Seorak, singer and VJ
 * 30 December - K.Will, singer