The Seoul Metropolitan Government is now accepting online applications for visitor participation in Seoul’s popular Changing of the Royal Guard Ceremony. Successful applicants will play a pivotal role in the ceremony, by beating the drum announcing the start of the proceedings. With performances held daily (except Mondays) from late-March until the end of the year at two of Seoul’s palaces, Deoksugung and Changdeokgung, the probability of acceptance is high.

Held from 2:00-3:30 pm, the program re-enacts the original ceremony of replacing standing palace guards with a fresh batch of personnel, which was instituted during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The re-enactment, which was first presented in 1996, involves 33 performers who play the roles of the outgoing and incoming guards, as well as the officials of the Palace Secretariat, all dressed in their traditional uniforms. The event combines what originally was three ceremonies into one grand ritual in which soldiers solemnly perform their duties to the accompaniment of a drum beat and traditional military music.

In addition to the formal ceremonies, visitors may also participate in hands-on activities such as Tuho, a traditional court game, where participants competed to throw an arrow into a jar, and Chukguk, a game similar to soccer. Visitors may also take pictures with the performers and a few luck participants will also have the opportunity to try on the Royal Guard’s Uniform for themselves. There is no charge for the event and its related activities.

To register online to participate in this event, visit the Seoul City website at http://www.visitseoul.net/english_new/royalguard/royalguard8.htm or contact the KNTO at 800/TOUR-KOREA.