Guards from Across the Nation Gather at Gyeongbokgung Heungnyemun Plaza

Reenactment of Appointment Ceremony Based on Records from the 1st Year of Yejong

About 200 royal gatekeepers from across the country will gather at Heungnyemun Plaza in Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul. They will participate in an appointment ceremony where the Joseon king personally bestows ranks and offers congratulations.

The Cultural Heritage Administration's Headquarters for Palaces and Royal Tombs and the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation announced on the 20th that on the 26th at 2 p.m., an event titled "The King Personally Selects the Royal Gatekeepers Nationwide!" will be held around Heungnyemun. The gatekeeper was an official position responsible for guarding the gates of the capital and palaces during the Joseon Dynasty. According to the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, the appointment ceremony was first conducted in the first year of King Yejong's reign (1469). The king appointed by marking the name of the most trusted high-ranking official from a list of recommended candidates. Those appointed were responsible for the frontline palace guard.

This appointment ceremony is reenacted based on records from the first year of King Yejong's reign. Since last year, the scale has expanded by inviting royal gatekeepers from across the country. This year, gatekeepers from seven regions including Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Incheon International Airport, Jeju-mok, Jinju Fortress, and Gangneung Daedohobu will participate. Visitors can experience the selection process of Gapsa (甲士), elite soldiers who guarded the Joseon king, and enjoy various special performances. Admission is free. For more details, please refer to the Headquarters for Palaces and Royal Tombs or the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation websites.