Yonsei University started the astronomy program over 100 years ago, and it was the first of its kind in Korea.

Yonsei University Astronomical Observatory was established in 1980, when a 61cm Cassegrain reflector was built in the city of Ilsan.

Since then, the observatory has played a leading role in observational astronomy, especially in the field of variable stars.

The current observatory activities include various public outreach programs and it is one of the major public education facilities offered by the university. In 2000, the observatory launched an ambitious research program for long-term survey astronomy.

Since then, the observatory has established three observatory sites abroad, i.e., South Africa, Taiwan and Australia.