The word beopju literally means “legal liquors.” It refers to alcohols originating from the royal court. The royal court made its own liquor on set dates, according to established laws and regulations. The brewing skills for Gyeongju gyodong beopju had been transmitted through the Choi family across generations for more than 300 years before the skills received formal designation in the ‘80s. As it was originally produced for the royal court, Gyeongju gyodong beopju embodies the archetype of traditional Korean alcoholic beverages, the principal reason for its designation at the state level as a cultural heritage item