History: Korea's Historical Sights Destroyed (The Burning of Nandaemun Gate

About three months ago (February 10, 2008) one of the most treasured historical sites in Korea was burned to the ground by a sixty-eight year old man who was upset by a land grievance. The Namdaemun Gate located in the heart of Seoul (the capital of South Korea). Before the gate was burned down to the ground in February 2008, it was the oldest wooden structure in Seoul. Although the Cultural Heritage Administration plans to rebuild Namdaemun Gate, it's a three-year project that will cost about twenty-one million dollars to rebuild.


However, what’s even more disheartening than the fact that it will cost twenty-one million dollars to rebuild this gate, is that now this is now one more historical site that is not in its original form. Unfortunately because South Korea has been invaded many times throughout history, many of its historic sites (and more accurately 90% of its non-religious historic sites) have been destroyed at some or another and especially during the Japanese Colonization Period and Korean War. According to Peter Bartholomew, president of the Korea branch of the Royal Asiatic Society and an expert on Korean architecture, it’s sad that “there’s so little left, it is just heartrending”. Namdaemun Gate was one of Korea's last historic sites in its original form, and as a result it was given the title of South Korea's No. 1 National Treasure, but now like many other historic sites it will have to be restored and rebuilt.


Some of the biggest questions raised as a result of this instance is how could this have happened, what measures did Korea take to protect this gate, and how well was this gate actually protected. After the burning of Namdaemun Gate this ignited anger in the hearts of many average citizens, politicians, and historical conservationists who demanded to know how a 610 year old historic site could’ve been so easily burned down. According to TIME when Lee Song Gun, a historian and researcher at the National Institute of Korean History, found out about that Namdaemun Gate burned down he was reduced to tears and said, “It is our pride and joy, so I feel ashamed that this happened. We should have protected it more.”


Since this was one of South Korea’s most beloved historic sites and national treasures it would make sense that it would/should be protected twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week by guards, video cameras, and other special types of equipment used to protect historic sites in other countries. For example in Japan, another country with many historic wooden structures, has taken many measure to protect its national treasures, including “sophisticated sprinklers” which are automatic and will turn on instantly if there’s ever a fire. However, according to David Mason, a professor at Kyung Hee University, “Korea’s preservation efforts are under funded and not enough attended to”. As a result, South Korea’s security system to protect its beloved historic sites fails greatly comparison, which is evident from how badly the fire damaged the gate before firefighters and government officials put it out.


Until it’s rebuilt Namdaemun Gate will remain a symbol, “a reminder of the fragility of Korea’s architectural legacy—and a test of just how serious the 5,000 year old culture is about preserving its remaining historical landmarks.”


{Video Clip: Burning of Namdaemun Gate}