2026 Sungnyemun Guard Ceremony

The “Sungnyemun Guard Ceremony,” which honors Sungnyemun Gate, is officially closed on Mondays and takes place daily from 10:00 a.m. to 3:40 p.m., except on Mondays. “Guard duty” refers to the defense of the capital city and was one of the most important military rituals of the Joseon Dynasty. Defending the capital was the most critical issue during the Joseon Dynasty, and it became a particularly serious concern during the reign of King Seonjo, following the Imjin War and the Manchu Invasion. The Guard Ceremony is a Joseon-era military ritual that combines the opening and closing of the capital’s gates at Injeong and Paru with patrol rituals. Considering its position and role within the central military system, it is a ceremony no less important than guarding the palace itself. The procedure for the “Sungnyemun Guard Ceremony” begins with the guard troops lining up in front of Sungnyemun, their post. A Geumnugwan (a official in charge of signaling the opening of the gate) appears to announce the opening of the gate, followed by signals from the nagak (a type of horn) and nabal (a type of trumpet). Upon the command of the military officer, the guard troops perform the ceremony to open Sungnyemun. Following this, the gate-guarding ceremony for Sungnyemun begins; after the first and second shifts of guards complete their shift change, the gate-guarding ceremony proceeds. Six additional shift change ceremonies and gate-guarding ceremonies are then conducted, after which, upon the command of the military officer, the guards perform the ceremony to close Sungnyemun.

- Main Program: Sungnyemun Gate Guard Ceremony - Side Events and Programs: Sungnyemun Gate Guards’ Patrol Ceremony / Sungnyemun Gate Opening and Closing Ceremony / “One Day! Guard” Program, etc.