December 09, 2025Dec 09, 2025
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)

Story Heard at a Neighbourhood Unit

Story Heard at a Neighbourhood Unit

All people belong to the neighbourhood units in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. They live harmoniously like members of

December 09, 2025

All people belong to the neighbourhood units in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. They live harmoniously like members of

Yearly fertilizer production plans carried out ahead of schedule

Yearly fertilizer production plans carried out ahead of schedule

Workers of the Namhung Youth Chemical Complex and the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex have carried out this year's fertilizer

December 09, 2025

Workers of the Namhung Youth Chemical Complex and the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex have carried out this year's fertilizer

People move into new houses in Jagang Province

People move into new houses in Jagang Province

Modern houses were built at the Tongchon Farm in Cholsan County and the Jonchang Farm in Songwon County. The farm villages were

December 09, 2025

Modern houses were built at the Tongchon Farm in Cholsan County and the Jonchang Farm in Songwon County. The farm villages were

Delegation of DPRK Ministry of Disaster Prevention leaves for Russia

Delegation of DPRK Ministry of Disaster Prevention leaves for Russia

A delegation of the Ministry of Disaster Prevention of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea led by Vice-Minister Ri Ki Chol

December 09, 2025

A delegation of the Ministry of Disaster Prevention of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea led by Vice-Minister Ri Ki Chol

Sinpho City Offshore Farm starts to collect scallops

Sinpho City Offshore Farm starts to collect scallops

The Sinpho City Offshore Farm, which was built into a model of shallow-sea culture in the new era under the care of the Workers'

December 09, 2025

The Sinpho City Offshore Farm, which was built into a model of shallow-sea culture in the new era under the care of the Workers'

Lots of Quilts Produced

Lots of Quilts Produced

The Pyongyang Kim Jong Suk Silk Mill has a quilt production workteam which is well-known to the people. Quilts produced at the

December 08, 2025

The Pyongyang Kim Jong Suk Silk Mill has a quilt production workteam which is well-known to the people. Quilts produced at the

What She Infuses the Children with a Lot of Dreams

What She Infuses the Children with a Lot of Dreams

Taekwon-Do is a form of martial arts peculiar to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and a sports event showing the spirit

December 08, 2025

Taekwon-Do is a form of martial arts peculiar to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and a sports event showing the spirit

South Phyongan Provincial Agricultural Science Institute built

South Phyongan Provincial Agricultural Science Institute built

A new agricultural science institute was built in South Phyongan Province. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un gave an important

December 08, 2025

A new agricultural science institute was built in South Phyongan Province. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un gave an important

People move into new houses in different places

People move into new houses in different places

New houses were built at the Mangum Greenhouse Farm under the Rural Economy Committee of North Hwanghae Province and the Yonryu

December 07, 2025

New houses were built at the Mangum Greenhouse Farm under the Rural Economy Committee of North Hwanghae Province and the Yonryu

Scientific researches active at universities and colleges

Scientific researches active at universities and colleges

Universities and colleges in all parts of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are working hard to solve the problems arising

December 07, 2025

Universities and colleges in all parts of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are working hard to solve the problems arising

New black swan production base built at Anju Duck Farm

New black swan production base built at Anju Duck Farm

A new black swan production base has been built at the Anju Duck Farm in South Phyongan Province. The construction of the

December 07, 2025

A new black swan production base has been built at the Anju Duck Farm in South Phyongan Province. The construction of the

Yearly plans for shipbuilding fulfilled at fishery stations

Yearly plans for shipbuilding fulfilled at fishery stations

Fishery stations across the country fulfilled their yearly plans for shipbuilding. The Unjon Fishery Station in North Phyongan

December 07, 2025

Fishery stations across the country fulfilled their yearly plans for shipbuilding. The Unjon Fishery Station in North Phyongan

Jungphyong Vegetable Greenhouse Farm

Jungphyong Vegetable Greenhouse Farm

There is the Jungphyong Vegetable Greenhouse Farm on the east coast at the northern end of the Democratic People's Republic of

December 07, 2025

There is the Jungphyong Vegetable Greenhouse Farm on the east coast at the northern end of the Democratic People's Republic of

More Articles