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)
There are many mineral water resources good for health in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. A lot of mineral waters
February 05, 2026
There are many mineral water resources good for health in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. A lot of mineral waters
Modern houses were built at the Kayang Farm in Unnyul County of South Hwanghae Province, and the Kyejong Farm in Kumchon County
February 05, 2026
Modern houses were built at the Kayang Farm in Unnyul County of South Hwanghae Province, and the Kyejong Farm in Kumchon County
Public and production buildings were built at the Taechong Farm in Unpha County of North Hwanghae Province, face-lifting the
February 05, 2026
Public and production buildings were built at the Taechong Farm in Unpha County of North Hwanghae Province, face-lifting the
Students in their final year at senior middle schools in the city of Nampho met with heroes at the Nampho Municipal Art Theatre.
February 05, 2026
Students in their final year at senior middle schools in the city of Nampho met with heroes at the Nampho Municipal Art Theatre.
North Hamgyong Province is pushing ahead with the work to strengthen the city and county design forces. The province takes
February 05, 2026
North Hamgyong Province is pushing ahead with the work to strengthen the city and county design forces. The province takes
Scientific researches for the protection and sustainable use of wetlands are active in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
February 05, 2026
Scientific researches for the protection and sustainable use of wetlands are active in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
One day in June 2016, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Pyongyang Kim Jong Suk Silk Mill. Looking round different
February 05, 2026
One day in June 2016, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Pyongyang Kim Jong Suk Silk Mill. Looking round different
Players of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea returned home after taking part in the 2026 International Wrestling
February 05, 2026
Players of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea returned home after taking part in the 2026 International Wrestling
Ceremonies to start the projects for the implementation of the regional development policy in 2026 took place respectively in the
February 04, 2026
Ceremonies to start the projects for the implementation of the regional development policy in 2026 took place respectively in the
New houses were built at the Woldang Farm in Sinwon County and the Rajinpho Farm in Yonan County of South Hwanghae Province.
February 04, 2026
New houses were built at the Woldang Farm in Sinwon County and the Rajinpho Farm in Yonan County of South Hwanghae Province.
Schoolchildren in South Hwanghae Province met a war veteran at the provincial art theatre on Monday. Present at the meeting were
February 04, 2026
Schoolchildren in South Hwanghae Province met a war veteran at the provincial art theatre on Monday. Present at the meeting were
Meetings were held at different units in the city of Kanggye of Jagang Province to mark the 20th anniversary of the great leader
February 04, 2026
Meetings were held at different units in the city of Kanggye of Jagang Province to mark the 20th anniversary of the great leader
The Sinpho City Offshore Farm is collecting tens of tons of scallops of a good breed every day. The farm organizes the work in
February 04, 2026
The Sinpho City Offshore Farm is collecting tens of tons of scallops of a good breed every day. The farm organizes the work in
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited Kim Chaek University of Technology on September 28, 2018 on the occasion of its 70th
February 04, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited Kim Chaek University of Technology on September 28, 2018 on the occasion of its 70th
Driver Ho Myong Gum at the Ryonmot Trolley Bus Company has an unusual attachment to her job that calls for working from early in
February 04, 2026
Driver Ho Myong Gum at the Ryonmot Trolley Bus Company has an unusual attachment to her job that calls for working from early in
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un made a speech of historic importance in commemoration of the inauguration of the Samgwang
February 03, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un made a speech of historic importance in commemoration of the inauguration of the Samgwang
An inauguration ceremony of the Samgwang Stockbreeding Farm of the Rural Economy Committee of North Phyongan Province, which has
February 03, 2026
An inauguration ceremony of the Samgwang Stockbreeding Farm of the Rural Economy Committee of North Phyongan Province, which has
The National Photo Exhibition "Under the Uplifted Banner of Self-Reliance" opened on the occasion of the 84th birth anniversary of
February 03, 2026
The National Photo Exhibition "Under the Uplifted Banner of Self-Reliance" opened on the occasion of the 84th birth anniversary of
Jagang Province is pushing ahead with the work for protecting the ecological environment. The province is further reinforcing the
February 03, 2026
Jagang Province is pushing ahead with the work for protecting the ecological environment. The province is further reinforcing the
The field of metallurgical industry is powerfully promoting the work to provide a firm guarantee to this year's struggle for
February 03, 2026
The field of metallurgical industry is powerfully promoting the work to provide a firm guarantee to this year's struggle for
More Articles
