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| yna@yna.co.kr 2026-02-26 09:34:47
SEOUL, Feb. 26 (Yonhap) -- The “Sunragun,” patrol guards responsible for protecting royal palaces and the capital during the Joseon Dynasty, will march around Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Insa-dong area every weekend.
The Royal Palaces and Tombs Center under the Korea Heritage Service, said Thursday that it will stage the “Royal Gate Guards’ Night Patrol Ceremony” at 3 p.m. on weekends and public holidays starting March 1, in cooperation with the Korea Heritage Agency.
During the Joseon Dynasty, night patrols were conducted to prevent theft and fires in the palace and around the capital.
The ceremony was first held as a special event in 2022 to mark the reopening of Gwanghwamun Square. Since 2024, it has been expanded to cover areas from the Woldae platform at Gwanghwamun to the Insa-dong Cultural Street.
The patrol unit consists of royal gate guards who protected palace and city gates, officers assisting them with administrative duties, professional soldiers and flag bearers carrying ceremonial standards. Accompanied by a traditional military band, they reenact historical patrol scenes in the city center.
The event will run at 3 p.m. through Nov. 29, excluding the peak summer months of June to August, and last about one hour each day.
On Saturdays, the patrol begins near Geonchunmun Gate inside Gyeongbokgung and passes by Hyangwonjeong Pavilion, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion and Geunjeongjeon Hall. On Sundays and public holidays, it proceeds past the Woldae platform at Gwanghwamun, Songhyeon Park and Insa-dong Cultural Street.
Visitors can take commemorative photos with the patrol guards at Hyangwonjeong, Gyeonghoeru and Bukinsa Yard.
An official at the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center said the agency will continue to develop diverse programs utilizing national heritage to promote Korean history to domestic and foreign visitors.
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