Joseon Dynasty Royal Guards Review at Heungnyemun Gate, Gyeongbokgung Palace

'Cheopjong' Event Held Twice Daily from 18th to 20th

The Cultural Heritage Administration's Palace and Royal Tombs Headquarters and the National Heritage Promotion Agency will hold the Cheopjong (疊鐘) event twice daily in front of Heungnyemun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace from the 18th to the 20th.

This is a royal palace guard inspection ceremony. Based on the 'Cheopjong' and 'Daeyeol-ui' (military ceremonies commanded by the king) recorded in the Gyeongguk Daejeon and Gukjo Oryeui, the formation and martial arts demonstrations for the king's event and inspection are reenacted in a theatrical format. Jinbeop (陣法) refers to the method of arranging troops in a specific formation for battle, and Yeonmu (鍊武) is a martial arts demonstration.

Cheopjong was a military ceremony during the Joseon Dynasty to inspect the king's royal guards. When the bell rings, all soldiers stationed in the palace, as well as civil and military officials and the central army's Owi (Five Guards) soldiers, gather to undergo Eojeon Sayeol (御前査閱), an inspection of military training and condition before the king. This ceremony reflects the Joseon Dynasty's efforts to maintain national order through military discipline and to establish a strong royal authority.

Over 120 performers participate in the reenactment. It showcases the early Joseon military formation called 'Owijinbeop' and splendid traditional martial arts. A representative from the Palace and Royal Tombs Headquarters stated, "We plan to enhance the spectacle with accurately researched early Joseon military officers' costumes, weapons, and ceremonial items."

The event will also be held next to Hyeopsaengmun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace. Twice daily, there will be a Gapsa (military officer) experience session. Anyone can wear the military officer's attire called Cheollik and learn martial arts such as archery, shield (Paengbae), club, and spear techniques. For more details, please refer to the websites of the Palace and Royal Tombs Headquarters or the National Heritage Promotion Agency.