February 01, 2026Feb 01, 2026
KCNA Voice of Korea (EN)

Site of Chomsongdae Observatory of Koguryo

Date: 16/09/2023 | Source: Voice of Korea (EN) | Read original version at source

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)

With New Treatment Method

With New Treatment Method

Among the medical workers at the Hospital of Kim Chaek University of Technology is Ko Hye Sun who is specially good at Koryo

February 01, 2026

Among the medical workers at the Hospital of Kim Chaek University of Technology is Ko Hye Sun who is specially good at Koryo

80th founding anniversary of UAWK marked

80th founding anniversary of UAWK marked

A meeting was held at the Central Hall of Workers on January 31 to commemorate the 80th founding anniversary of the Union of

February 01, 2026

A meeting was held at the Central Hall of Workers on January 31 to commemorate the 80th founding anniversary of the Union of

Floral tribute paid to great leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il

Floral tribute paid to great leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il

Le Ba Binh, Vietnamese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and staff

February 01, 2026

Le Ba Binh, Vietnamese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and staff

Decree of DPRK SPA Standing Committee issued

Decree of DPRK SPA Standing Committee issued

The Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issued on January 29 decree

January 31, 2026

The Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issued on January 29 decree

Third People's Art Festival for Celebrating February 16 to be held

Third People's Art Festival for Celebrating February 16 to be held

The Third People's Art Festival for Celebrating February 16 will be held in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on the

January 31, 2026

The Third People's Art Festival for Celebrating February 16 will be held in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on the

Birthday spread sent to centenarian

Birthday spread sent to centenarian

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a kind spread to Ju Chun Jo living in the town of Kapsan County, Ryanggang Province, on the

January 31, 2026

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a kind spread to Ju Chun Jo living in the town of Kapsan County, Ryanggang Province, on the

Kaesong Municipal Tree Nursery inaugurated

Kaesong Municipal Tree Nursery inaugurated

A tree nursery was wonderfully built in the city of Kaesong. The construction of the tree nursery with an office building, seed

January 31, 2026

A tree nursery was wonderfully built in the city of Kaesong. The construction of the tree nursery with an office building, seed

People move into new houses

People move into new houses

Modern houses were built at the Churung Farm in Samchon County and the Sinhwanpho Farm in Jaeryong County of South Hwanghae

January 31, 2026

Modern houses were built at the Churung Farm in Samchon County and the Sinhwanpho Farm in Jaeryong County of South Hwanghae

Kyongam Timber Processing Factory inaugurated

Kyongam Timber Processing Factory inaugurated

The Kyongam Timber Processing Factory was built in the city of Sariwon, North Hwanghae Province. It is a timber processing base

January 30, 2026

The Kyongam Timber Processing Factory was built in the city of Sariwon, North Hwanghae Province. It is a timber processing base

Quality of Products

Quality of Products

The Mangyongdae Revolutionary Site Souvenir Factory in the capital city of Pyongyang produces zippers, plastic goods and

January 30, 2026

The Mangyongdae Revolutionary Site Souvenir Factory in the capital city of Pyongyang produces zippers, plastic goods and

Sariwon Tannery inaugurated

Sariwon Tannery inaugurated

The Sariwon Tannery has been remodelled in North Hwanghae Province. All its production lines, ranging from the feeding of raw

January 30, 2026

The Sariwon Tannery has been remodelled in North Hwanghae Province. All its production lines, ranging from the feeding of raw

Meeting for summing up farming in 2025 held

Meeting for summing up farming in 2025 held

A meeting for summing up farming in 2025 was held at the Cabinet on the 27th and the 28th through video conferencing. The meeting

January 30, 2026

A meeting for summing up farming in 2025 was held at the Cabinet on the 27th and the 28th through video conferencing. The meeting

More Articles