The Rural Development Administration of Korea conducted a series of surveys of paddy weeds from 1971 to 2013 in approximately 10-year cycles and the results have been used for the efficient weed management of paddy fields. In 1971, annual weeds such as Rotala indica, Eleocharis acicularis f. longiseta, and Monochoria vaginalis were dominant. In 1981, the population of Echinochloa species decreased whereas broadleaf weeds such as M. vaginalis, Sagittaria pygmaea, and S. trifolia were dominant. In 1991, perennial weeds such as Eleocharis kuroguwai, S. pygmaea, and S. trifolia were dominant over annual weeds. In 2000, M. vaginalis was the most abundant species, followed by E. kuroguwai, Echinochloa species, and S. trifolia. In 2013, herbicide-resistant Echinochloa species and M. vaginalis were most dominant, followed by E. kuroguwai, Scirpus juncoides, and S. trifolia. It has been predicted that the prevalence of Echinochloa species will continue to increase and that perennial weeds will be more abundant than annual ones in the near future. The occurrence of herbicide-resistant weeds and exotic weeds will also increase due to global warming and changes in agricultural patterns.