History

From the founding of YAM to today

1991–1995
1991 — YAM founded at the KAS Spring Meeting
Born in a bar in Nokdu, Seoul. Started to promote academic exchange and fellowship among graduate students at Seoul National University and Yonsei University.
1992 — Expanded into a nationwide gathering
The second meeting was held at Yonsei University in February.
1993 — Dr. Jongsoo Kim elected as the first president
Introduction of per-school liaisons and start of the Haneul Sarang newsletter. 38 participants from 7 universities.
1994 — 2nd International Meeting of Young Astronomers in East Asia (Japan)
Haneul Sarang Issue 3 published.
1995 — Haneul Sarang Issue 4 published
1997–2000
1997 — 1st YAM Summer School (Daejeon)
1998 — 2nd YAM Summer School
Theme: "Journey to High Astronomy and Astrophysics." Invited talks by Dr. Kwang-il Seon (KAIST), Prof. Yonggi Kim (Chungbuk Nat'l Univ.), Prof. Bon-Chul Koo (Seoul Nat'l Univ.), Prof. Myung Gyoon Park (Kyungpook Nat'l Univ.).
1999 — 3rd YAM Summer School
Theme: "Optical Astronomy." Invited talks by Prof. Kyung-Won Suh (Chungbuk Nat'l Univ.), Prof. Myung Gyun Lee (Seoul Nat'l Univ.), Prof. Hong Bae Ann (Pusan Nat'l Univ.), Prof. Hwankyung Sung (Sejong Univ.).
2000 — Activity hiatus begins after the winter general meeting
2003–2009
2003 — 1st EAYAM held in Taiwan
2005 — YAM revived
After about a five-year hiatus, revival was decided at the KAS Spring Meeting. The KYAM Daum Café was opened.
2006 — EAYAM (Japan) & KJYAM (Gyeongju)
International exchange resumed in earnest, sponsored by ARCSEC.
2008 — JYAM (Japan) & EAYAM (China)
Co-hosted by APCTP and YITP. 29 attendees from Korea in total.
2009 — KJYAM 2009 (Gwacheon National Science Museum)
35 participants total — Korea 21, Japan 11, China 2, Vietnam 1.
2010–2013
2010 — JKYAM 2010 (Japan)
Supported by Kyung Hee University's WCU program; 17 participants from Korea.
2011 — EAYAM 2011 (Jeju Island)
82 participants total — Korea 25, China 23, Japan 14, Taiwan 19, Thailand 1. Introduced membership application form and formalized the member roster.
2012 — KJYAM 2012 (Yonsei University)
37 participants total. Sponsored by KASI and the Japan Foundation for the Promotion of Astronomy.
General meetings held at every KAS spring & fall conference
2014–2015
2014 — YAM booth at the 12th APRIM
Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido rubbing experience, Cheomseongdae introduction, 500 traditional Korean fans distributed. 36 Korean and 24 international attendees. Preparation for KAS division status and creation of the KYAM website.
2015 — EAYAM 2015 (Taiwan)
8 participants from Korea. Hosted the "Beyond Flowers, YAM" event at the April KAS Spring Meeting.
2016–2018
2016 — Haneul Sarang Issue 5 relaunched
Online publication as a webzine resumed. YAM & "We Love Galaxies" joint workshop held.
2017 — EAYAM 2017 (Japan)
7 participants from Korea.
2018 — YAM bylaws revised for officer elections
2020
Workshops cancelled due to COVID-19
Membership application and roster improved. Haneul Sarang Issue 9 published in November.
2025
March — Eunyu Lee and Jaehong Jung sworn in as President and Vice President
2026
January — KYAM MT held
Offline activities resumed after the long COVID-19 pause.
April — 25th President Jongin Park and Vice President Daehyun Kim sworn in