Meet the Joseon royal guards

The announcement came down from upon high that a royal command had been issued. There came the tolling of theCheobjongbell, notifying the guards that the king was approaching Gwanghwamun Gate to conduct an official inspection. The bell echoed aroundGyeongbokgung Palaceand across central Seoul.

Ahead of their monarch, a troop of royal palace-inspection guards scrambled inside the palace grounds, alerting the other soldiers that the king's inspection tour had begun. Troops mustered to attention, to be ready when the monarch arrived. Thus begins the palace guard inspection ceremony.

Naegeumwi guards (left), defending the left, or east, side of the field, spar with their Gyeomsabok cavalry unit compatriots, protecting the right, or west, side of the field, with the king in attendance (rear, third from left), during a reenactment of the royal inspection, on September 29 at Gyeongbokgung Palace. (photo: Jeon Han)

According to the Gyeonggukdaejeon, a code of military law from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), the Cheobjong is the "big bell" rung only in the case of national emergency, or when the king conducts a troop inspection. At the toll of the Cheobjong, palace guards muster on the open fields of the palace to undergo an inspection, along with other civil and military officials.

It is recorded that such surprise reviews were carried out not only to tighten military discipline but also to maintain the "fundamentals of a country".

During the inspection, the troops would line up in formation, muster into battle units and display their tactical training through various sparring contests. Under the king's watchful eye, the Owigun, an elite military unit, would display their martial art abilities. All this is visible during modern reenactments at Heungnyemun Gate square, the central plaza inside Gyeongbokgung Palace.

A member of the royal Naegeumwi guards (left) spars with a member of the Gyeomsabok cavalry unit during a one-on-one battle reenactment on September 29 at Gyeongbokgung Palace. (photo: Jeon Han)

During the royal inspection, the guards showed off their dignified composure by moving in perfect order in front of the king, following the disposition and commands recorded in the Owijinbeob text. Written under the auspices of King Munjong of Joseon (r.1450-1452), the Owijinbeob contains all the then-contemporary knowledge of military matters and strategies for troop movement. The bulk of it is made up of instructions on military organization, encamping methods, military tactics, orders, insignia and combat training.

The king, acting as a sort of judge in these matters, would show his satisfaction or dissatisfaction with his troops' maneuvers based on the rules set down in the Owijinbeob. Literally, the Owijinbeob is the, "dividing the military into five commands", text. The number five refers to the five traditional elements: earth, metal, water, wood and fire.

Under the king's orders, during the inspection members of the royal Naegeumwi unit would defend the king's left or east side of the pitch. They would enter into mock battle with their fellow soldiers from the Gyeomsabok cavalry unit, which would defend the king's right or west side of the field.

Watching the fight between scimitar and spear, and then double-sword and spear, set against the blue autumn sky, the spectators were awed with the beauty and grace of the martial showing.

Royal guards show off their Owijinbeob maneuvers during a reenactment of a royal inspection, on September 29. (photo: Jeon Han)

Tourists who happened upon this military display during their visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace kept their fingers on their camera shutter buttons to record the spectacle, giving the reenactors a big round of applause as they showed off their well-disciplined martial art abilities.

A reenactment of the royal inspection will be held at 2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday until October 27. For more information, visitwww.sumunjang.or.kr.

Jeon Han, Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writers
[email protected]

The king orders the inspection of palace guards, a ceremony known as the Cheobjong. (photo: Jeon Han)

Two royal officers sound the bell to announce the beginning of the Cheobjong troop inspection, on the ramparts of Gwanghwamun Gate. (photo: Jeon Han)