The genus Monoctonus Haliday, 1833 is a small group which consists of 24 species worldwide. In South Korea, Chang and Youn (1983) recorded one species, M. similis Starý & Schlinger, 1967, but the evidence for identification of this species is doubtful and further confirmation is required (personal communication with Prof. Jong-Cheol Paik).
An additional Monoctonus species is recorded as new to science from South Korea. Descriptions and illustrations of the new species –Monoctonus koreanus sp. nov. – are provided, together with its mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) data and phylogenetic position. A key to the female of the two species present in Korea is provided.