In ancient times, the royal guards of Joseon Dynasty performed the given task by guarding the Gwanghwamun Gate, the entrance of Gyeongbokgung Palace where the king ruled the country. Since 1469, the ceremony has taken place, with the present reenactment ceremony being based on historical records for authenticity.

The reenactment of the original ceremony began from 1996. The gate guardsmen serve their sentry, perform the changing of the guards, and hold a parade. The guards' uniforms, weapons, and accessories as well as their strict ceremonial procedures catch the eyes of passersby, especially foreign tourists. Since it is hard to experience traditional events in such a big city like Seoul, the change of the guards ceremony is a great opportunity. It takes place every day except Tuesday.

Performance Times:
Sumunjang (Royal Guard) Changing Ceremony: 10:00, 14:00 / 20 minutes per ceremony 

Gwanghwamun Gate Guard-on-Duty Performance: 11:00, 13:00 / 10 minutes per ceremony

Sumungun (Gatekeeper) Military Training (outside Hyeopsaengmun Gate):  09:35, 13:35 / 15 minutes per ceremony