2026 Sungnyemun Guard Ceremony

The 'Sungnyemun Guard Ceremony,' which protects Sungnyemun, is officially closed on Mondays and operates every day except Monday from 10:00 to 15:40. Pasesu refers to defending the capital city walls and is one of the important military rituals of the Joseon period. During the Joseon period, defending the capital was one of the most important issues, and it became especially serious after the Imjin War and the Byeongja Horan during the reign of King Seonjo. The guard ceremony is a Joseon-period military ritual that connects the gate-opening and gate-closing rites of the capital, performed at injeong and paru, as well as the patrol ritual. Considering its place and role within the central military system, it was no less important than guarding the royal palace. The procedure of the 'Sungnyemun Guard Ceremony' begins with the guard troops lining up in front of Sungnyemun, their duty station, followed by the appearance of Geumrugwan announcing paru, after which signals from the nagak and nabal are heard. On the order of the hogun, the guard troops carry out the Sungnyemun gate-opening rite. The guard ceremony then begins to protect Sungnyemun, and after the first guard unit and second guard unit change shifts, the guard ceremony is performed. Afterwards, six shift-change and guard ceremonies are held, and then, on the order of the hogun, the guard troops carry out the Sungnyemun gate-closing rite.