Naegeumwi

Naegeumwi was the royal guard of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea, a military unit whose duty was to protect the king and the royal family. The source dates the unit to the period between 1392 and 1910, which covers the whole of the Joseon era. The number of guards varied between 60 and 200 and at times may have reached 300. The monarch held random inspections of the guards, announced by the tolling of the Cheobjong bell, when the guards had to line up in formation and show their combat and tactical skills according to the Owijinbeob drill manual. The royal guard system was dissolved in 1910, and the inspection ceremony is now re-enacted for visitors at Gyeongbokgung Palace during the high tourist season.