A positive electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery of preparing the same. The positive electrode includes a current collector, a positive active material layer coated on the current collector, and a surface-treatment layer. The positive active material layer includes a positive active material. The surface-treatment layer includes a compound selected from the group consisting of a coating-element-included hydroxide, a coating-element-included oxyhydroxide, a coating-element-included oxycarbonate, a coating-element-included hydroxycarbonate, and a mixture thereof. The positive electrode is prepared by coating a current collector with a positive active material composition to form a positive active material layer, and treating the current collector coated with the positive active material layer with a coating liquid, and drying the treated current collector. The coating liquid includes a coating element or coating-element-included compound.