Fire Destroys South Korea's No.1 National Treasure

[Jacqueline]

Fire destroyed perhaps Seoul’s most famous landmark on february 10th,2008 when flames engulfed the Sungnyemun, more commonly known as Namdaemun or South Gate, the nation’s no.1 national treasure.

An overnight fire destroyed a 610-year-old landmark that was considered South Korea's top national treasure. Namdaemun, the oldest wooden structure in Seoul, was originally built in 1398 and then renovated in 1962, following its damage during the Korean War.

The incident came as a shock for many Koreans, destroying their National Treasure No. 1 at the onset of the Lunar New Year.

The Cultural Heritage Administration said it would take at least three years to fully restore the gate and it would cost some $21 million.

Credits: Yonhap news, International Herald tribune, Chosun Ilbo, the seoul times


The south gate (namdaemun) before the fire


The south gate (namdaemun) after the fire



EDITED
Feb.12,2008

Police officers arrested a 70-year-old man identified as Chae. Chae allegedly confessed to setting fire to Sungnyemun ― also known as Namdaemun.

[John]

omg wow I so wanted to see that......I feel bad for everyone over there now..

http://kr.news.yahoo.com/service/news/shellview2.htm?articleid=20080212155208388a3&linkid=612&newssetid=2379&title=%B1%B9%BA%B81%C8%A3+%BC%FE%B7%CA%B9%AE+%C8%AD%C0%E7
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[hyunwoo]

Yeah it's such a SAD incident.... I'm so sad too.
National Treasure #1 disappearing just like that....

BTW, here's an interesting blog post if you want to read more about it.

http://metropolitician.blogs.com/scribb ... in-ev.html

[Bouks]

Is this news still being widely talked about? How much of an effect is it having on national sentiment?

I was thinking of Namdaemun when I got to the beginner lesson that mentioned it. Wouldn't it be nice if all of the most popular Korean bands and singers got together for a Namdaemun benefit concert? They could raise a whole lot of money towards its restoration.

[John]

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/610-year-old-south-korean-landmark-burns/1334748941

still sad....


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