.

Sungnyemun or Namdaemun is a historic gate located in the heart of Seoul, the capital of South Korea. The landmark is officially called Sungnyemun (Hangul: 숭례문; Hanja: 崇禮門, literally “Gate of Exalted Ceremonies”, as written in hanja on a plaque on the wooden structure.[1] As the southern gate of the original walls surrounding Seoul during the Joseon Dynasty, it is widely known as Namdaemun, literally “the great southern gate”.

The city gate was originally used to greet foreign emissaries, control access to the capital city, and keep out Korean tigers, which have long been gone from the area.

It is located in Seoul Special City, Jung-gu, Namdaemun St 4-Ga 29, halfway between Seoul Station and Seoul City Plaza. Nearby is the Namdaemun market, a traditional twenty-four hour market that has been operating for centuries. The area is also home to several shopping malls.

The wooden part of the gate was severely damaged in a fire on February 10, 2008 in a suspected arson attack.[2][3]

(wikipedia)

(zenkimchi)