The YNZ22(D17S5) locus on chromosome 17p13.3 is well known as one of the most informative variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphic regions identified so far in the human genome. In the present study, the allele frequencies and the genotype distribution of the YNZ22 (D17S5) VNTR locus were analyzed in subjects with 161 unrelated Koreans using the polymerase chain reaction. The analysis revealed 56 genotypes consisting of 15 alleles (differing in copy number of a 70 bp repeat unit) ranging in size from 170 to 1150 bp. the most frequent allele and genotype were observed to 4 and 1-4, respectively. The distribution of the genotypes was significantly deviated from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (χ2=23.682, df=10, 0.005