"Gatekeeper Night Watch Ceremony" To Resume On March 1...Weekend Encounters In The City Center

Weekend and Holiday Marches Until November 29, Except During the Hot Summer Months
Saturday Route Inside Gyeongbokgung Palace, Sunday and Holiday Patrol from Gwanghwamun to Insadong

The Royal Palaces and Tombs Center of the National Heritage Administration and the National Heritage Promotion Institute announced on the 26th that they will resume the "Gatekeeper Night Watch Ceremony," which was responsible for the safety of the capital during the Joseon Dynasty, starting from March 1.

This is an event in which the gate guards, who used to stay inside the palace, meet visitors in person. The chief gatekeeper, officials, professional soldiers known as Gapsa, and standard-bearers holding flags march through the city to the accompaniment of the military band. The event will be held every weekend and public holiday, except during the hot summer months from June to August, from 3 p.m. for one hour until November 29.

The marching route differs by day of the week. On Saturdays, the procession departs from the area around Geonchunmun Gate inside Gyeongbokgung Palace, passes by Hyangwonjeong Pavilion and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, and then heads toward Geunjeongjeon Hall. On Sundays and public holidays, it departs from the Gwanghwamun Gate terrace, patrols through Songhyeon Park and the Insadong Culture Street, and then returns to the starting point.

At major points such as Hyangwonjeong Pavilion and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion in Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukinsamadang Square in Insadong, visitors can take commemorative photos together with the participants. Detailed schedules can be found on the National Heritage Promotion Institute website.