In this study, three representative softwood tree species and two representative hardwood tree species used as interior finishing materials were reviewed for applicability as functional building finishing materials for moisture absorption and moisture desorption with a view to improving moisture absorption and moisture desorption performances. The government has established and is operating the ‘Health-friendly Housing Construction Standards’ (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, 2019) and green technology (functional building materials). According to the foregoing, the performance standard for moisture absorption and moisture desorption functional building materials was set to at least 65 g/m2 under the Health-friendly Housing Construction Standards. In addition, in the green technology (functional building material) sector under the Framework Act on Low-Carbon, Green Growth, the average moisture absorption/desorption amount was specified and is being implemented to be at least 85 g/m2. Five wood tree species were used in the tests in this study, which are Hinoki, Douglas fir, Sugi, Oak, and Maple, and the tests were conducted according to the method under the Korean Industrial Standard KS F 2611: 2009 (Test method for moisture absorption and desorption of building materials). In the experiments in this study, the basic moisture absorption and desorption performance of wood and the effect of physical processing to improve the moisture absorption and desorption performance were evaluated. In addition, the dimensional changes caused by moisture absorption and moisture desorption were evaluated by type of physical processing in order to present the applicability of the wood materials as functional building materials for moisture absorption and moisture desorption. Through previous studies, wood is known to be a porous material with excellent humidity regulation performance but through the tests in this study, the wood materials were evaluated as not satisfying the moisture absorption and desorption standards presented by the government. In this study, increasing the surface porosity and specific surface area through physical processing to improve the performance was evaluated to be capable of giving more excellent moisture absorption and desorption performances to wood but it was judged that for the wood materials to be used as functional building materials for moisture absorption and moisture desorption that satisfy the Korean industrial standard, improvement through additional processing (chemical processing, etc.) is necessary.