PURPOSES : When fire event occurs in tunnel the reinforced concrete is exposed to very high temperature at a very short time period. This study investigates the tensile behavior of steel rebar that experienced high temperature. METHODS : The steel rebar was exposed to 200, 400, 600, and 800℃ following the ISO 834 temperature-time fire curve. Hightemperature- exposed steel rebars were tested using the UTM for their yielding and tensile strengths, and elongation rate. RESULTS : Up to an exposure temperature of 600℃, the tensile properties of the rebar did not vary considerably. However, at 800℃ (which corresponds to a temperature rise time of approximately 22 min), the rebar lost its yielding and tensile strength by approximately 27 and 13%, respectively, compared to the control specimen. Further, the elongation rate increased after exposure to 600℃. The above fundamental tensile test results can be a good reference for future guidelines in the repair manual for tunnels after severe fire events. CONCLUSIONS : When steel rebar experiences high temperatures of 800℃, the yield strength of the rebar reduces approximately 27%. This strength reduction can cause severe structural damage to tunnels that use reinforced concrete as the primary structural elements.