Have you noticed the astronomical instrument on the back of South Korea's 10,000-won banknote? It opens a small window onto how people in Joseon Korea studied the sky and measured time.
Astronomy in everyday currency
The Bank of Korea identifies an armillary sphere, or honcheonui, among the reverse-side design elements. It is a device associated with models of the heavens. Distinguish the depicted instrument from the larger historic armillary clock (honcheon sigye) to which it is related.
A museum of science and culture
Korea University Museum preserves the historic armillary clock. The university traces the museum to 1934 and says it moved to the Centennial Memorial Samsung Hall in 2005. Its collections also cover archaeology, folk culture, art and the painting Donggwoldo. The clock offers a way to connect scientific imagination with Korean cultural heritage.
Check before visiting
The museum is in the Centennial Memorial Samsung Hall on Korea University's Seoul campus, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu. The university's facilities page, published on 11 November 2024, lists 10:00–17:00, closed Sundays, Mondays and public holidays. Current-day opening, special closures and whether the clock itself is on display were NOT independently confirmed for 2026. Contact the museum before setting out (+82-2-3290-1517); do not assume access to a specific exhibit.