This study evaluated the effects of high-pressure shucking on the compositional quality and microbiological characteristics of raw oysters (Magallana gigas) in comparison with conventional hand shucking, and examined heavy metal contents in the pressure-transmitting seawater used during processing. Oysters collected from Tongyeong and Yeosu were treated at 200-240 MPa for 0-600 seconds. One-way ANOVA showed significant differences among treatment groups in moisture, crude fat, and crude protein contents whereas Dunnett’s test indicated that most high-pressure-treated oysters were not significantly different from hand-shucked controls. Initial total viable counts ranged from 2.77 to 3.46 log CFU/g and increased to 7.95-9.23 log CFU/g after 14 days of storage, generally remaining similar to or lower than the control. Coliform counts decreased under several pressure-time conditions, and Escherichia coli and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were not detected. Although Cu, Zn, Ni, and Fe increased in the process seawater, Cd and Hg were not detected.