Mt. Ohdu Unification Observatory

Mt. Ohdu Unification Observatory, also known as Odusan Unification Observatory, stands on a hilltop in Paju, South Korea, just two kilometres from the Demilitarized Zone.

About Mt. Ohdu Unification Observatory

Despite its name, this is not an astronomical observatory: it's a public viewing tower built for a very different kind of observation. From its five-storey building - four floors above ground and one below - visitors look out across the border toward North Korea, alongside exhibits on Korean unification and the divided peninsula's history.

History

The observatory opened in September 1992 and has since welcomed nearly 1.9 million visitors, making it one of the most-visited sites for viewing North Korea from South Korean territory.

Location & getting there

It sits on Mt. Ohdu (Odusan) in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, roughly 2 kilometres from the DMZ - one of the closest points in South Korea from which the public can look toward the North.

Visiting Mt. Ohdu Unification Observatory

The site is open to the public and includes an observation platform along with unification-themed exhibits and historical displays. Given its location near a sensitive border area, it's worth checking current access rules and opening hours before you travel.

See your named star from here

Mt. Ohdu Unification Observatory is built for looking toward the DMZ, not the night sky, so it isn't a stargazing venue. If you'd like to find a star named through star-register.eu, the catalogue gives you its exact coordinates to look for wherever you have a clear view of the night sky, and our naming packages let you name one of your own.