A reenactment of a Joseon-era royal guard patrol will take place from March to May and again from September to November in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The event is held every Sunday and public holidays at 3 p.m., starting from the Woldae platform in front of Gwanghwamun Gate and continuing through the streets of Insa-dong.
The program recreates how soldiers during the Joseon Dynasty patrolled the capital and surrounding areas to maintain security. The tradition is believed to have originated from a patrol system recorded in the Gyeongguk Daejeon, the state code of the Joseon Dynasty.
The event lasts about one hour and involves more than 60 participants, including royal guards responsible for protecting palace gates along with other military units of the Joseon army.
The procession begins at the Woldae platform in front of Gwanghwamun Gate, patrols through Insa-dong Cultural Street, and concludes at Bukinsa Madang near Exit 6 of Anguk Station. After the reenactment, visitors can take commemorative photos with the guards.
A guided tour program following the patrol route through historic areas of Jongno is also available. Applications can be submitted through the Jongno Culture Platform website up to three days before the scheduled tour, and the program operates when at least three participants register.
In addition, a royal guard experience center has been established at 33 Changdeokgung-gil, using a historical building where guards once stayed during nighttime patrols. Visitors can try on traditional guard uniforms at the center, which is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is free.
The program offers citizens and tourists visiting Insa-dong an opportunity to experience traditional Korean culture in the heart of Seoul.
Source: Jongno-gu Office
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