Wanggung Sumunjang

The Wanggung Sumunjang (Hangul: 왕궁수문장) or Sumungun (Hangul: 수문장) for short is a royal guard unit of the Joseon Dynasty, whose primary duty is to guard the walls and gates of the Five palaces of Seoul.

Sumunjang (수문장), Chief gatekeeper of the royal palaces gates.

Equipment
Gapsa (갑사) standing guard wearing dudumiggap armor (Hangul: 두두미갑, hanja: 頭頭味甲).

The guards wore royal uniforms, carried traditional weapons, and played traditional instruments.[1] The Sumunjang and Sujongjang wore and plate and mail armor (gyeongbeongap, Hangul: 경번갑, hanja: 鏡幡甲) and the Gapsa wore dudumiggap (Hangul: 두두미갑, hanja: 頭頭味甲), a ceremonial armor that does not provide protection in battle.[2]

Ranks

The following list is the Sumungun ranks with their roles and duties:[3]

  • Sumunjang (수문장): Chief gatekeeper guards the palace gates and commands the Sumungun.
  • Sujongjang (수정장): Deputy gatekeeper serves as the Daejonggo, manager of the bells and drums
  • Jongsagwan (종사관): Lieutenant gatekeeper who assists the Chief gatekeeper and manages the gate book
  • Gapsa (갑사): Armed guard
  • Jeongbyeong (정병): Regular guard and private soldier of Joseon’s central army
  • Daejol (대졸): Subordinate soldier and sentry
  • Jeollugun (전루군): Timekeeper
  • Chwita (취타): Military band musician

Re-enactment

Guard ceremonies have been reenacted since 1996, and are a major tourist attraction.[1]

See also

References
  1. "Changing of the Royal Guard at Gyeongbokgung Palace". Visit Seoul.net. 2018-01-01.
  2. "두두미갑(頭頭味甲)". Encyclopedia of Korean Culture.
  3. "Changing of Guards Ceremony". Koreaby Me.
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