Inauguration of the KVN Seoul National University Pyeongchang Radio Observatory
– Expected to Strengthen Astronomical and Space Observation Capabilities through the Expansion of the Korea VLBI Network (KVN)
Administrator Yoon Youngbin of the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) attended the inauguration ceremony of the Korea VLBI* Network (KVN) Seoul National University Pyeongchang Radio Observatory (hereinafter ‘KVN Pyeongchang’) held at Seoul National University’s Pyeongchang Campus on Thursday, June 12, 2025, where he extended his congratulations and words of encouragement.
* Very Long Baseline Interferometry: A space radio observation technique that deploys radio telescopes at dispersed locations to achieve superior resolution equivalent to the maximum distance between the telescopes.
KVN is Korea’s first VLBI. By connecting four 21-meter-class radio telescopes installed in Seoul, Ulsan, Jeju, and the newly established Pyeongchang site into one network, KVN secures a maximum baseline of up to 600 km from Jeju to Pyeongchang, enabling high-resolution observations ideal for studying supermassive black holes. Moreover, KVN boasts the world’s first receiver capable of simultaneously observing multi-frequency space signals, showcasing its efficient observational capabilities.
The inauguration of KVN Pyeongchang is expected to greatly contribute to strengthening Korea’s astronomical and space observation capabilities. With the addition of the fourth telescope, KVN Pyeongchang, to the existing three-telescope KVN, not only has the resolving power―critical for detailed celestial observations―been enhanced, but the sensitivity to detect faint signals has also been significantly improved. Since detecting its first 230 GHz signal in December 2023, KVN Pyeongchang has installed a receiver capable of simultaneous observation on three channels, and in March of last year, it successfully detected signals by linking all four KVNs for the first time.
At the ceremony, Administrator Yoon stated, “Based on world-class research infrastructure like the KVN Seoul National University Pyeongchang Radio Observatory, we will spare no effort to support our young talents so that they can fully pursue their dreams and boldly expand the boundaries of human knowledge.”