Koguryo is the first feudal state which existed in the Korean history between 277 B.C. and A.D. 668.
Astronomy developed considerably in Koguryo at that time.
Doctor Kim In Chol, Section Chief of the Archaeological Institute under the Academy of Social Sciences, has this to say.
"The high development of astronomy in Koguryo is unthinkable apart from the Chomsongdae Observatory, the base for observing the sun, moon and stars, and the centralistic and systematic observation of the state. Koguryo built the Chomsongdae Observatory for astronomical observations and the officials in charge of the astronomical observations made observations day and night in all seasons.
Such historical fact is proved well through the site of the Chomsongdae Observatory unearthed around the Anhak Palace, the royal palace at the time of the Koguryo Dynasty."
The site of the Chomsongdae Observatory of Koguryo is in today's Taesong District of Pyongyang City.
It covers a wide area of about 380 square metres. Most of the superstructure was destroyed not to recognize its shape, but the substructures are preserved comparatively as they were.
The site of the Chomsongdae Observatory of Koguryo largely consists of the tetragonal main facility and the heptagonal auxiliary facility around it.
The foundation is about 1.3 metres deep, which is the deepest of the medieval structures unearthed so far. It is solid enough to support about 1,000 tons of weight from an architectural point of view.
Imagining the superstructure on the basis of the archaeological materials on the site, it is possible to guess that a stone structure for astronomical observations existed there.
The fact that there is the Pyongyang Observatory on the ridge opposite the site shows that the place is very favourable for astronomical observations.
The site of the Chomsongdae Observatory of Koguryo built in the first half of the 5th century is of great significance in showing the high development of astronomy in Koguryo.
More From Voice of Korea (EN)
Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
December 05, 2025
Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
The art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan laid bouquets before the bronze statues of the great leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim
December 05, 2025
The art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan laid bouquets before the bronze statues of the great leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim
New houses have been built at the Thaeyang Farm in Kyonghung County and the Hyongje Farm in Puryong County of North Hamgyong
December 05, 2025
New houses have been built at the Thaeyang Farm in Kyonghung County and the Hyongje Farm in Puryong County of North Hamgyong
The 55th Athletic Meet of Artistes took place at the Basketball Gymnasium in Chongchun Street of Pyongyang on the 3rd and the 4th.
December 05, 2025
The 55th Athletic Meet of Artistes took place at the Basketball Gymnasium in Chongchun Street of Pyongyang on the 3rd and the 4th.
Young people in South Phyongan Province volunteered to work at coal mines in the province. A meeting was held to congratulate the
December 05, 2025
Young people in South Phyongan Province volunteered to work at coal mines in the province. A meeting was held to congratulate the
The "Exhibition of Products of Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factories--2025" came to a close with due ceremony at the Okryu
December 05, 2025
The "Exhibition of Products of Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factories--2025" came to a close with due ceremony at the Okryu
An art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan led by Ri Chol Su, Principal of the Korean Primary School in Toshun, arrived in
December 05, 2025
An art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan led by Ri Chol Su, Principal of the Korean Primary School in Toshun, arrived in
Tree nurseries are found in all parts of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. One day in July 2018, the respected Comrade
December 05, 2025
Tree nurseries are found in all parts of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. One day in July 2018, the respected Comrade
South Hwanghae Province has established a new edible calcium carbonate production process and started the production. The edible
December 05, 2025
South Hwanghae Province has established a new edible calcium carbonate production process and started the production. The edible
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the
December 05, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the
There is Kyongru-dong, a terraced residential district, on the bank of the picturesque Pothong River in the city of Pyongyang. A
December 04, 2025
There is Kyongru-dong, a terraced residential district, on the bank of the picturesque Pothong River in the city of Pyongyang. A
This is the gift--woodwork "General View of Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia"--presented to the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un by the
December 04, 2025
This is the gift--woodwork "General View of Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia"--presented to the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un by the
The Phyongsong Zoo was built in South Phyongan Province. The zoo covers an area of more than 20,000 square metres with a number of
December 04, 2025
The Phyongsong Zoo was built in South Phyongan Province. The zoo covers an area of more than 20,000 square metres with a number of
A photo exhibition and a reception hosted by the Vietnamese embassy in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea took place at the
December 04, 2025
A photo exhibition and a reception hosted by the Vietnamese embassy in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea took place at the
A meeting was held at the Central Youth Hall in Pyongyang on the 3rd to commemorate the International Day of Persons with
December 04, 2025
A meeting was held at the Central Youth Hall in Pyongyang on the 3rd to commemorate the International Day of Persons with
People moved into new houses at the Ryokpho Vegetable Farm in Ryokpho District and the Oryu Vegetable Farm in Sadong District of
December 04, 2025
People moved into new houses at the Ryokpho Vegetable Farm in Ryokpho District and the Oryu Vegetable Farm in Sadong District of
The Ryongchon Plain is the largest one in North Phyongan Province. On the plain is the Naejung Farm in Yomju County. Meritorious
December 04, 2025
The Ryongchon Plain is the largest one in North Phyongan Province. On the plain is the Naejung Farm in Yomju County. Meritorious
Doctor is a job earning the people's respect because he or she relieves them of their pain and recovers their health. Kim Ryo Sun,
December 03, 2025
Doctor is a job earning the people's respect because he or she relieves them of their pain and recovers their health. Kim Ryo Sun,
Protecting the national cultural heritage associated with the talents and wisdom of the nation and the excellent national
December 03, 2025
Protecting the national cultural heritage associated with the talents and wisdom of the nation and the excellent national
A meeting was held at the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace on November 30 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the respected
December 03, 2025
A meeting was held at the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace on November 30 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the respected
More Articles