The characteristics and relationships of sequence type (ST) 72 Staphylococcus aureus isolates from humans, raw meat and soil in South Korea were investigated. Several close relationships based on molecular evidence such as staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type, spa gene type, PFGE, the presence of virulence genes and the nucleotide sequences of 12 chromosomal genes suggested the transmissibility of ST72 meticillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates among humans, livestock and the environment. In addition, the results indicated that ST72 MRSA may have originated from ST72 meticillin-susceptible S. aureus, but the acquisition of SCCmec has not occurred repeatedly.