AbstractExtensive research has been conducted in wheat to improve genetic resistance to rust, a major disease that deteriorates wheat yield and quality worldwide. Leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina is the most prevalent among the three major wheat rust diseases (leaf, stripe, and stem rust) globally and is adapted to a wide range of climates. Approximately 80 genes for leaf rust resistance have been reported, and six (Lr1, Lr10, Lr21, Lr22a, Lr34, and Lr67) have been cloned. Among these cloned genes, Lr34/Yr18/Sr57/Pm38 and Lr67/Yr46/Sr55/Pm46 are of special interest for breeding programs, as they provide pleiotropic resistance to stripe rust, stem rust, and powdery mildew as well as leaf rust. In Korea, knowledge on wheat breeding and genetics for rust resistance is insufficient, as agronomic measures have mainly been used to avoid rust. Therefore, an extensive research program to address the increasing threat of rust epidemics due to climate change is urgently required. Major Korean wheat cultivars, breeding lines, and landraces should be screened for leaf rust resistance. Diverse germplasms also need be introduced through international collaborations to broaden the genetic background for resistance. It is equally important to characterize the distribution of different leaf rust races in Korea and respond to changes in pathogen populations by using effective resistance genes in breeding programs. Research on molecular genetics and genomics needs to be furthered to identify new leaf rust resistance genes and develop efficient molecular markers.