The daily net primary production by phytoplankton in the southeastern sea of Korea in October 1985 ranged from 0.7 to 2.7 gCm$\^$-2/ d$\^$-1/ and averaged to be 1.3 gCm$\^$-2/ d$\^$-1/. Surface total chlorophyll ranged from 0.97 to 3.59mg chlm$\^$-3/....
The daily net primary production by phytoplankton in the southeastern sea of Korea in October 1985 ranged from 0.7 to 2.7 gCm$\^$-2/ d$\^$-1/ and averaged to be 1.3 gCm$\^$-2/ d$\^$-1/. Surface total chlorophyll ranged from 0.97 to 3.59mg chlm$\^$-3/. Primary production by nano-phytoplankton(〈20$\mu\textrm{m}$) ranged from 43 to 97% in the surface layer. Optimum light intensity(Iopt)was around 300 to 700${\mu}$Es$\^$-1/m$\^$-1/. Surface primary production from 9:00 to 15:00 h was evidently inhibited by strong light intensity beyond the Iopt. Phytoplankton near the base of euphotic zone(30-40m) showed extremely low Iopt suggesting adaptation to a low light environment. Since Iopt represents the history of light experience of phytoplankton at a given depth, the extent of variation in I of phytoplankton at different depth seems to be related to the in tensity of turbulence mixing in the surface mixed layer. From the present study, ammonium excretion by macrozooplankton (〉350$\mu\textrm{m}$) contributes from 3 to 19% of daily total nitrogen requirement by phytoplandton in this area. Calculation of upward flux of nitrate to the surface mixed layer from the lower layer, based on the simple diffusion model, approximates 3% of nitrogen requirement by phytoplankton. However, large portion of nitrogen requirement by phytoplankton remains unexplained in this area. In upwelling area near the coast, adjective flux might be the major source for the nitrogen requirement by phytoplankton. This study suggests that the major nitrogen source for the phytoplankton growth might come from the pelagic regeneration by nano-and micro-sized heterotrophic plandkon. Enhancement of primary production during the passage of the warm Tsushima Current is discussed in relation with nutrient dynamics and hydrlgraphic processes in this area.