![Korean royal guard at Gyeongbokgung](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/Korean_royal_guard_at_Gyeongbokgung.jpg)
Naegeumwi () was a military unit during the
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and re ...
period of
Korean history
The Lower Paleolithic era in the Korea, Korean Peninsula and Manchuria began roughly half a million years ago.
Christopher J. Norton, "The Current State of Korean Paleoanthropology", (2000), ''Journal of Human Evolution'', 38: 803–825.
The e ...
between 1407 and 1910, responsible for protecting the king and the royal family. The number of royal guards varied between 60 and 200, at times may have reached 300.
Inspection ceremony
The monarch held random inspections of the royal guards, with the tolling of the Cheobjong bell(첩종,疊鐘), which notified the guards that the king was approaching
Gwanghwamun Gate
Gwanghwamun () is the main and largest gate of Gyeongbok Palace, in Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It is located at a three-way intersection at the northern end of Sejongno. As a landmark and symbol of Seoul's long history as the capital city dur ...
. The bell could be heard in central
Seoul
Seoul (; ; ), officially known as the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea.Before 1972, Seoul was the ''de jure'' capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) as stated iArticle 103 ...
, as well.
The guards had to line up in formation and display their combat skills and tactical skills, according to the ''Owijinbeob'' (오위진법,五衛陣法), which was a contemporary document recording various movements and strategies, considered to be the most modern at the time.
The royal guards had to defend the east side of the field (the king's left side), during a mock battle with the Gyeomsabok (겸사복,兼司僕) cavalry units, who would attack from the right (west) side. At the end of the inspection the king would display his displeasure or satisfaction with the skills and performance of the Naegeumwi.
Re-enactments
The royal guard system was dissolved in 1910. In modern days, re-enactments of the royal guards' inspection ceremony are performed for tourists at the Gyeongbokgung Palace during high season.
See Also
*
Wanggung Sumunjang
The Wanggung Sumunjang () literally translates as ''door guard of the royal palace'' or Sumungun () literally translates as ''military doorkeepers'', for short is a royal guard unit of the Joseon Dynasty, whose primary duty is to guard the walls a ...
*
Joseon Army
The Joseon Army (Korean: 조선군대; Hanja: 朝鮮軍隊) was the army of the Korean dynasty of Joseon. The army defended the northern borders but seldom defended the southern regions. The army was best known for fending off the Jurchen raids and ...
References
External links
* {{commonscat-inline, Naegeumwi
Joseon dynasty
Military history of Korea
Military units and formations
Royal guards