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KMA

Brief History

Years Our History
2022 The KMA headquarters were relocated to Daejeon (from Dongjak-gu, Seoul to Government Complex Daejeon).
2021 The fifth national meteorological supercomputer was introduced.
2020 Korea’s numerical weather prediction (NWP) model began operation.
2019 The Daegu Branch Office of Meteorology was elevated to the Daegu Regional Office of Meteorology.
2018 The meteorological satellite GK2A was launched.
Nov. 2017 The weather aircraft was launched.
Jan. 2017 The Earthquake and Volcano Division was elevated to the Earthquake and Volcano Center. The Numerical Modelling Center and the Meteorological Human Resources Development Institute were established.
Jun. 2015 The organizational structure of the subordinate offices was reformed. ※ 5 regional offices, 45 weather stations -> 6 regional offices, 3 branch offices, 7 weather stations
Jan. 2014 The Act on the Observation and Warning of Earthquakes, Tsunamis and Volcanic Eruptions was enacted.
May. 2011 The weather ship Gisang 1 was launched
Jun. 2010 Korea’s first geostationary multi-purpose satellite, COMS (Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite), was launched.
Apr. 2010 The Weather Radar Center was established.
Jun. 2008 The National Typhoon Center was established.
Feb. 2008 The KMA came under the the Ministry of Environment.
May. 2007 KMA was elected as a member of the WMO Executive Council.
Mar. 2007 A new position for the Director-General for Earthquake was created.
Jul. 2005 KMA was elevated to sub-ministerial level.
Jun. 2002 The Gangneung Regional Meteorological Office (RMO) was renamed as the Gangwon RMO.
Oct. 2000 The computing power of the supercomputer was enhanced (224 Gflops).
Jun. 1999 The first supercomputer (128 Gflops) was installed.
Jan. 1999 Digital earthquake monitoring and analysis started.
Dec. 1998 The KMA headquarters were relocated to a new building.
Dec. 1997 The District Meteorological Service (DMS) was renamed to the Regional Meteorological Office (RMO).
Mar. 1997 An office exclusively responsible for earthquakes (The Office of Earthquake) was organized.
Dec. 1987 The Korea Meteorological Service (KMS) was elevated to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).
Jan. 1982 The Daejeon DMS was established.
Sep. 1980 Analog seismological observation network established (Commencement of instrumental earthquake monitoring).
Sep. 1979 Computer communication network was implemented.
Apr. 1978 The Central Meteorological Office (CMO) was renamed as the Korea Meteorological Service (KMS).
Jun. 1971 Meteorological telecommunication circuit between Seoul and Tokyo was established.
Dec. 1970 Meteorological satellite reception commenced.
Jul. 1970 Two District Meteorological Services (DMS) were established in Busan and Gwangju, respectively.
Nov. 1969 Weather radar observation (S-band) commenced at Gwanaksan.
Aug. 1961 Meteorological Service Law was enacted.
Jan. 1959 Aeronautical Service Law was enacted.
Feb. 1956 Korea joined the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Aug. 1949 The Central Meteorological Office (CMO) was established.
Mar. 1905 Earthquake monitoring began.
Mar. 1904 Modern meteorological services commenced.