The feeding habits of the Japanese jack mackerel Trachurus japonicus were studied in the Southern Sea of the Republic of Korea. To assess the effects of season, sampling was conducted in February (winter), May (spring), and August (summer), 2020. The total length of each fish was measured in 1 cm intervals. Diet composition showed the highest species diversity during winter. Diet composition changed from copepods to euphausiids as the total length of jack mackerel increased, except during winter. The most important seasonal prey were copepods in winter and summer and euphausiids in spring. Species diversity of the zooplankton community structure was highest in winter. Among the zooplankton communities, copepods were dominant in all seasons. Species with a high electivity index in all seasons were relatively large zooplankton of ≥2 ㎜. Jack mackerel had ontogenetic diet change, exhibited diet selectivity depending on size, and its feeding habits were affected by the zooplankton community structure.