Video of Namdaemun Collapsing
Feb 12th, 2008 | By andy | Category: MISC.
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]
This is such a shock. What was the motive, and how could anyone bring themselves to destroy such a priceless piece of Korean history?
Sigh, another thing I will miss out on.
Koreans must have felt so sad about this incident..just like what we felt when an old historical church in my country was destroyed by fire..but the memories i think won’t be destroyed..
This event will be remembered for long time. The other question is how we should estimate it.