South Korean Gate Destroyed in Fire

[Lydia Leftcoast]

Source: New York Times

SEOUL, South Korea — The 600-year-old southern gate to what was once the walled city of Seoul, a landmark that survived foreign invasions and wars to be designated South Korea’s top national treasure, burned down Monday.

The collapse of Sungnye Gate — better known to Koreans and foreign tourists as Namdaemun, or “Great South Gate” — shocked the country. “The Republic of Korea could not even defend its national treasure No. 1!” one front-page newspaper headline lamented, using South Korea’s formal name.

Kim Young-soo, a district police chief, said investigators were looking into the possibility of arson. “With this fire, our national pride was burned down as well,” said Lee Kyung-sook, top aide to President-elect Lee Myung-bak, who rushed to the scene of the blaze Monday.

Namdaemun, made of wood and stone with a two-tiered, pagoda-shaped tiled roof, was completed in 1398 and served as the main southern entrance to Seoul, which was then a walled city. It was the oldest wooden structure in the country, an iconic reminder of old Korea in this modern Asian city, the capital of South Korea, and a major tourist attraction. The site is surrounded by a bustling commercial district, and had lately been used as shelter by homeless people.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/12/world/asia/12korea.html?_r=1&ref=world&oref=slogin

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I haven't been to South Korea (it's on my list of countries to visit), but by all accounts, this is one of the major landmarks of Seoul.

[Qanisqineq]

1. I live in South Korea

but never got a chance to see this gate. Damn!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

3. That's the way I felt when the largest Sitka Spruce tree in the US fell last year...

I've lived here in Oregon almost 10 years and never made it over there. :cry:

It was a sapling when the Great Plague struck Europe...

http://www.nccsp.org/pressroom/press-releases/oregon-loses-an-icon-oregon2019s-largest-sitka-spruce-breaks-apart-in-storm

[Qanisqineq]

4. oh that stinks!

I've lived here for 2 years. It seems like when I plan on living some place for a while, I just keep thinking, "there's plenty of time to see (insert landmark)." I lived in DC for 2 years, I worked ON THE DAMN MALL, yet there were so many things I never saw because I always said, "there's plenty of time to see that while I'm here."

I frustrate myself sometimes.

[Blue_Tires]

2. i hope it isn't arson....

[CRK7376]

5. It was smack dab

in the middle of major traffic circle/pattern in downtown Seoul. I went and saw it, took lots of photos etc...while I was stationed in Yongsan (Seoul) a few years ago. Great city, fantastic people, beautiful country. I had an interesting year in Korea, but it sucked being away from my wife and kids for that year.

[Bonobo]

6. Tragic loss.

[ConcernedCanuk]

7. 70yo admits starting Seoul landmark blaze(Namdaemun gate)

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70yo admits starting Seoul landmark blaze

Posted 1 hour 28 minutes ago
Updated 1 hour 24 minutes ago


Firefighters battle a blaze at the Namdaemun gate, one of South Korea's most historic sites, in central Seoul. (AFP)

A 70-year-old man has reportedly told police he started a blaze that destroyed South Korea's 600-year-old top cultural landmark.

Police detained the man, identified only by his last name, Chae, in Ganghwa Island, west of Seoul, Yonhap news agency reported. The man said he did it, but Yonhap did not provide further details on his confession.

/snip/

Investigators found clothes and a bag similar to those described by witnesses at Chae's home, Yonhap said. Police said they also uncovered a bottle of paint thinner at his residence.

The Gate, an ornate two-storey building on a stone base, was the city's oldest wooden structure and was a major tourist attraction.

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[mw]

8. I lived in S Korea for 10 years

And I've driven that Namdaemun ("South Gate") traffic circle dozens of times.

What a shame. It's Korea's TOP national treasure.