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Revision as of 13:46, 7 March 2008 editOpoona (talk \| contribs)6 edits →History: The source that Korean User deleted is regained. Source JoongAng Ilbo is a big newspaper of South Korea.← Previous edit		Revision as of 18:55, 7 March 2008 edit undoCaspian blue (talk \| contribs)Autopatrolled, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers35,434 edits rv by Opoona (talk), possibly Japanese meatpuppet from 2channel. Then, it's a conflict of interest. Take it to Talk first.Next edit →
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	Before the 2008 fire, Namdaemun was the oldest wooden structure in Seoul.<ref name="2008 Fire BBC">{{cite news \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7238210.stm \|title=Fire ravages South Korea landmark \|work=BBC News \|date=2008-02-11 \|accessdate=2008-02-11}}</ref> The ], made of wood and stone with a two-tiered, ]-shaped tiled roof, was completed in 1398 and originally used to greet foreign emissaries, control access to the capital city, and keep out ]s, which have long been gone from the area. Construction began in 1395 during the fourth year of the reign of ] and was finished in 1398. The structure was rebuilt in 1447 and was renovated several times since.<ref name="2008 Fire BBC"/> It was originally one of three main gates, the others being the East Gate (]) and the now-demolished West Gate in the ] district, named after the old gate.<ref>{{cite book \|title=A Concise History of Korea: From The Neolithic Period Through the Nineteenth Century \|page=204 \|author=Seth, Michael J \|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield \|year=2006 }}</ref>		Before the 2008 fire, Namdaemun was the oldest wooden structure in Seoul.<ref name="2008 Fire BBC">{{cite news \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7238210.stm \|title=Fire ravages South Korea landmark \|work=BBC News \|date=2008-02-11 \|accessdate=2008-02-11}}</ref> The ], made of wood and stone with a two-tiered, ]-shaped tiled roof, was completed in 1398 and originally used to greet foreign emissaries, control access to the capital city, and keep out ]s, which have long been gone from the area. Construction began in 1395 during the fourth year of the reign of ] and was finished in 1398. The structure was rebuilt in 1447 and was renovated several times since.<ref name="2008 Fire BBC"/> It was originally one of three main gates, the others being the East Gate (]) and the now-demolished West Gate in the ] district, named after the old gate.<ref>{{cite book \|title=A Concise History of Korea: From The Neolithic Period Through the Nineteenth Century \|page=204 \|author=Seth, Michael J \|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield \|year=2006 }}</ref>

	In the early part of the 20th century, the city walls that surrounded Seoul were demolished by the Japanese Government, ostensibly "to ease the flow of traffic in the area." A visit to Seoul by the ] of Japan prompted the demolition of the walls around Namdaemun, as the prince was deemed to be too exalted to pass through the gateway.<ref>{{cite book \|author=Hong Seong-tae \|chapter=From Mount Baekak to the Han River: A Road to Colonial Modernization \|title=Impacts of Modernities \|page=126 \|editor=LaMarre, Thomas; Kang, Nae-hŭi \|publisher=Hong Kong University Press \|year=2004 }}</ref> The gate was closed to the public in 1907 after the ] constructed an electric tramway nearby. And the Namdaemun was specified for the national treasure No.1 by the ] in ].<ref> "Korea's top national treasure is the Namdaemun. It is the best of the cultural properties managed by the state, but it was not designated by Koreans. In 1934, during the Japanese annexation period, the colonial government issued an ordinance to preserve the major Joseon Dynasty cultural properties. During the last 70 years, not everyone was proud to have the leading national treasure picked by Japan." by ] </ref> The South Korea government succeeded to the judgment of Japan. Namdaemun was extensively damaged during the ] and was given its last major repair in 1961, with a completion ceremony held on ], ]. <ref>{{cite news \|title=Poor Security Blamed for Gate Burnout \|first=Kim \|last=Rahn \|date=2008-02-11 \|work=Korea Times \|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/02/117_18720.html }}</ref> It was given the status of "] No.1"<ref name="yonhap">{{cite news \|title=Controversy erupts over fundraising for historic gate \|last=Shin Hae-in \|work=Yonhap News \|date=2008-02-13 \|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2008/02/13/42/0302000000AEN20080213003400315F.HTML }}</ref> on ], ].		In the early part of the 20th century, the city walls that surrounded Seoul were demolished by the Japanese Government, ostensibly "to ease the flow of traffic in the area." A visit to Seoul by the ] of Japan prompted the demolition of the walls around Namdaemun, as the prince was deemed to be too exalted to pass through the gateway.<ref>{{cite book \|author=Hong Seong-tae \|chapter=From Mount Baekak to the Han River: A Road to Colonial Modernization \|title=Impacts of Modernities \|page=126 \|editor=LaMarre, Thomas; Kang, Nae-hŭi \|publisher=Hong Kong University Press \|year=2004 }}</ref> The gate was closed to the public in 1907 after the ] constructed an electric tramway nearby. Namdaemun was extensively damaged during the ] and was given its last major repair in 1961, with a completion ceremony held on ], ]. <ref>{{cite news \|title=Poor Security Blamed for Gate Burnout \|first=Kim \|last=Rahn \|date=2008-02-11 \|work=Korea Times \|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/02/117_18720.html }}</ref> It was given the status of "] No.1"<ref name="yonhap">{{cite news \|title=Controversy erupts over fundraising for historic gate \|last=Shin Hae-in \|work=Yonhap News \|date=2008-02-13 \|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2008/02/13/42/0302000000AEN20080213003400315F.HTML }}</ref> on ], ].

	The Gate was renovated again in 2005 with the building of a lawn around the gate, before being opened once again to the public with much fanfare on ] ].<ref>{{cite news \|first=Andrei \|last=Lankov \|title=Namdaemun Outlived War, Colonialism \|work=Korea Times \|date=2008-02-11 \|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/02/117_18709.html }}</ref> During the restoration, 182 pages of blueprints for the gate were made as a contingency against any emergencies which may damage the structure.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Three Years Needed for Restoration \|last=Chung Ah-young \|work=Korea Times \|date=2008-02-11 \|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/02/113_18722.html }}</ref>		The Gate was renovated again in 2005 with the building of a lawn around the gate, before being opened once again to the public with much fanfare on ] ].<ref>{{cite news \|first=Andrei \|last=Lankov \|title=Namdaemun Outlived War, Colonialism \|work=Korea Times \|date=2008-02-11 \|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/02/117_18709.html }}</ref> During the restoration, 182 pages of blueprints for the gate were made as a contingency against any emergencies which may damage the structure.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Three Years Needed for Restoration \|last=Chung Ah-young \|work=Korea Times \|date=2008-02-11 \|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/02/113_18722.html }}</ref>

Revision as of 18:55, 7 March 2008

This article is about the gate known as Namdaemun. For the nearby market, see Namdaemun Market.

37°33′35″N 126°58′31″E / 37.55972°N 126.97528°E / 37.55972; 126.97528

Korean name
Sungnyemun Namdaemun
Namdaemun before the fire.
Hangul	숭례문 / 남대문
Hanja	崇禮門 / 南大門
Revised Romanization	Sungnyemun/Namdaemun
McCune–Reischauer	Sungnyemun/Namdaemun

Namdaemun or Sungnyemun is an historic gate located in the heart of Seoul, the capital of South Korea. The landmark is officially called Sungnyemun, literally "Gate of Exalted Ceremonies," as written in hanja on a plaque on the wooden structure. As the southern gate of the original walls surrounding Seoul during the Joseon Dynasty, it is widely known as Namdaemun, literally "Great Southern Gate."

On February 10 2008, the wooden structure atop the gate was severely damaged by arson.

History

Before the 2008 fire, Namdaemun was the oldest wooden structure in Seoul. The city gate, made of wood and stone with a two-tiered, pagoda-shaped tiled roof, was completed in 1398 and 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. Construction began in 1395 during the fourth year of the reign of King Taejo of Joseon and was finished in 1398. The structure was rebuilt in 1447 and was renovated several times since. It was originally one of three main gates, the others being the East Gate (Dongdaemun) and the now-demolished West Gate in the Seodaemun-gu district, named after the old gate.

In the early part of the 20th century, the city walls that surrounded Seoul were demolished by the Japanese Government, ostensibly "to ease the flow of traffic in the area." A visit to Seoul by the Crown Prince of Japan prompted the demolition of the walls around Namdaemun, as the prince was deemed to be too exalted to pass through the gateway. The gate was closed to the public in 1907 after the Japanese colonial authorities constructed an electric tramway nearby. Namdaemun was extensively damaged during the Korean War and was given its last major repair in 1961, with a completion ceremony held on May 14, 1963. It was given the status of "National Treasure No.1" on December 20, 1962.

The Gate was renovated again in 2005 with the building of a lawn around the gate, before being opened once again to the public with much fanfare on 3 March 2006. During the restoration, 182 pages of blueprints for the gate were made as a contingency against any emergencies which may damage the structure.

Fire

Main article: 2008 Namdaemun fire

At approximately 8:50 p.m. on February 10, 2008, a fire broke out and severely damaged the wooden structure at the top of the Namdaemun gate. The fire roared out of control again after midnight and finally destroyed the structure, despite the efforts of more than 360 firefighters. Many witnesses reported seeing a suspicious man shortly before the fire, and two disposable lighters were found where the fire was believed to have started. A 69-year-old man identified as Chae Jong-gi was arrested on suspicion of arson and then later confessed to the crime. A police captain reported that Chae sprayed paint thinner on the floor of the structure and then set fire to it. Police say that Chae was upset about not being paid in full for land he had sold to developers. The same man had been charged with setting a fire at Changgyeong Palace in Seoul in 2006.

The Cultural Heritage Administration of South Korea said that it would undertake a three-year project that would cost an estimated ₩20 billion (approximately $21 million) to rebuild and restore the historic gate. President-elect Lee Myung-bak has proposed starting a private donation campaign to finance the restoration of the structure.

Location

The gate 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.

Gallery

In 1904 (2nd-last year of the Korean Empire)
Around 1935 (middle of the Japanese occupation)
Namdaemun at night
The title "Sungnyemun(崇禮門)"
The February 10 fire, with firefighters putting it out The February 10 fire, with firefighters putting it out
Collapsing.Template:Puic Collapsing.Template:Puic
February 11, 2008, the day after the fire.

References

Kwang-Tae Kim (2008-02-11). "South Korea arrests man in landmark fire". Associated Press. Yahoo! News.
"S. Korean landmark collapses in fire". Associated Press. CNN. 2008-02-11.
^ "Fire ravages South Korea landmark". BBC News. 2008-02-11. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
Seth, Michael J (2006). A Concise History of Korea: From The Neolithic Period Through the Nineteenth Century. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 204.
Hong Seong-tae (2004). "From Mount Baekak to the Han River: A Road to Colonial Modernization". In LaMarre, Thomas; Kang, Nae-hŭi (ed.). Impacts of Modernities. Hong Kong University Press. p. 126.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link)
Rahn, Kim (2008-02-11). "Poor Security Blamed for Gate Burnout". Korea Times.
Shin Hae-in (2008-02-13). "Controversy erupts over fundraising for historic gate". Yonhap News.
Lankov, Andrei (2008-02-11). "Namdaemun Outlived War, Colonialism". Korea Times.
Chung Ah-young (2008-02-11). "Three Years Needed for Restoration". Korea Times.
^ Kwok, Vivian Wai-yin (2008-02-11). "Korea's Historic Namdaemun Gate Toppled By Fire". Forbes.
"Man 'confesses to S Korea blaze'". BBC News. 2008-02-12.
^ Kim Tae-jong (2008-12-12). "Suspect Admits Arson on Namdaemun". Korea Times.
"Man 'Arsonist Blames President Roh'". Korea Times. 2008-02-14.
"SKorea arsonist in Namdaemun fire had grudge over land dispute: police". Agence France-Presse. Google. 2008-02-12.
Hyung-Jin Kim (2008-02-11). "Fire destroys South Korean landmark". Associated Press. Yahoo! News. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
Choe Sang-Hun (2008-02-12). "South Korean Gate Destroyed in Fire". The New York Times.
Kim Yon-se (2008-02-12). "Donation for Gate Restoration Proposed". Korea Times.

External links

Template:Ko icon Short description of the 8 gates of Seoul

Categories:

Revision as of 13:46, 7 March 2008 editOpoona (talk \| contribs)6 edits →History: The source that Korean User deleted is regained. Source JoongAng Ilbo is a big newspaper of South Korea.← Previous edit		Revision as of 18:55, 7 March 2008 edit undoCaspian blue (talk \| contribs)Autopatrolled, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers35,434 edits rv by Opoona (talk), possibly Japanese meatpuppet from 2channel. Then, it's a conflict of interest. Take it to Talk first.Next edit →
Line 19:		Line 19:
	Before the 2008 fire, Namdaemun was the oldest wooden structure in Seoul.<ref name="2008 Fire BBC">{{cite news \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7238210.stm \|title=Fire ravages South Korea landmark \|work=BBC News \|date=2008-02-11 \|accessdate=2008-02-11}}</ref> The ], made of wood and stone with a two-tiered, ]-shaped tiled roof, was completed in 1398 and originally used to greet foreign emissaries, control access to the capital city, and keep out ]s, which have long been gone from the area. Construction began in 1395 during the fourth year of the reign of ] and was finished in 1398. The structure was rebuilt in 1447 and was renovated several times since.<ref name="2008 Fire BBC"/> It was originally one of three main gates, the others being the East Gate (]) and the now-demolished West Gate in the ] district, named after the old gate.<ref>{{cite book \|title=A Concise History of Korea: From The Neolithic Period Through the Nineteenth Century \|page=204 \|author=Seth, Michael J \|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield \|year=2006 }}</ref>		Before the 2008 fire, Namdaemun was the oldest wooden structure in Seoul.<ref name="2008 Fire BBC">{{cite news \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7238210.stm \|title=Fire ravages South Korea landmark \|work=BBC News \|date=2008-02-11 \|accessdate=2008-02-11}}</ref> The ], made of wood and stone with a two-tiered, ]-shaped tiled roof, was completed in 1398 and originally used to greet foreign emissaries, control access to the capital city, and keep out ]s, which have long been gone from the area. Construction began in 1395 during the fourth year of the reign of ] and was finished in 1398. The structure was rebuilt in 1447 and was renovated several times since.<ref name="2008 Fire BBC"/> It was originally one of three main gates, the others being the East Gate (]) and the now-demolished West Gate in the ] district, named after the old gate.<ref>{{cite book \|title=A Concise History of Korea: From The Neolithic Period Through the Nineteenth Century \|page=204 \|author=Seth, Michael J \|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield \|year=2006 }}</ref>

	In the early part of the 20th century, the city walls that surrounded Seoul were demolished by the Japanese Government, ostensibly "to ease the flow of traffic in the area." A visit to Seoul by the ] of Japan prompted the demolition of the walls around Namdaemun, as the prince was deemed to be too exalted to pass through the gateway.<ref>{{cite book \|author=Hong Seong-tae \|chapter=From Mount Baekak to the Han River: A Road to Colonial Modernization \|title=Impacts of Modernities \|page=126 \|editor=LaMarre, Thomas; Kang, Nae-hŭi \|publisher=Hong Kong University Press \|year=2004 }}</ref> The gate was closed to the public in 1907 after the ] constructed an electric tramway nearby. And the Namdaemun was specified for the national treasure No.1 by the ] in ].<ref> "Korea's top national treasure is the Namdaemun. It is the best of the cultural properties managed by the state, but it was not designated by Koreans. In 1934, during the Japanese annexation period, the colonial government issued an ordinance to preserve the major Joseon Dynasty cultural properties. During the last 70 years, not everyone was proud to have the leading national treasure picked by Japan." by ] </ref> The South Korea government succeeded to the judgment of Japan. Namdaemun was extensively damaged during the ] and was given its last major repair in 1961, with a completion ceremony held on ], ]. <ref>{{cite news \|title=Poor Security Blamed for Gate Burnout \|first=Kim \|last=Rahn \|date=2008-02-11 \|work=Korea Times \|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/02/117_18720.html }}</ref> It was given the status of "] No.1"<ref name="yonhap">{{cite news \|title=Controversy erupts over fundraising for historic gate \|last=Shin Hae-in \|work=Yonhap News \|date=2008-02-13 \|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2008/02/13/42/0302000000AEN20080213003400315F.HTML }}</ref> on ], ].		In the early part of the 20th century, the city walls that surrounded Seoul were demolished by the Japanese Government, ostensibly "to ease the flow of traffic in the area." A visit to Seoul by the ] of Japan prompted the demolition of the walls around Namdaemun, as the prince was deemed to be too exalted to pass through the gateway.<ref>{{cite book \|author=Hong Seong-tae \|chapter=From Mount Baekak to the Han River: A Road to Colonial Modernization \|title=Impacts of Modernities \|page=126 \|editor=LaMarre, Thomas; Kang, Nae-hŭi \|publisher=Hong Kong University Press \|year=2004 }}</ref> The gate was closed to the public in 1907 after the ] constructed an electric tramway nearby. Namdaemun was extensively damaged during the ] and was given its last major repair in 1961, with a completion ceremony held on ], ]. <ref>{{cite news \|title=Poor Security Blamed for Gate Burnout \|first=Kim \|last=Rahn \|date=2008-02-11 \|work=Korea Times \|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/02/117_18720.html }}</ref> It was given the status of "] No.1"<ref name="yonhap">{{cite news \|title=Controversy erupts over fundraising for historic gate \|last=Shin Hae-in \|work=Yonhap News \|date=2008-02-13 \|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2008/02/13/42/0302000000AEN20080213003400315F.HTML }}</ref> on ], ].

	The Gate was renovated again in 2005 with the building of a lawn around the gate, before being opened once again to the public with much fanfare on ] ].<ref>{{cite news \|first=Andrei \|last=Lankov \|title=Namdaemun Outlived War, Colonialism \|work=Korea Times \|date=2008-02-11 \|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/02/117_18709.html }}</ref> During the restoration, 182 pages of blueprints for the gate were made as a contingency against any emergencies which may damage the structure.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Three Years Needed for Restoration \|last=Chung Ah-young \|work=Korea Times \|date=2008-02-11 \|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/02/113_18722.html }}</ref>		The Gate was renovated again in 2005 with the building of a lawn around the gate, before being opened once again to the public with much fanfare on ] ].<ref>{{cite news \|first=Andrei \|last=Lankov \|title=Namdaemun Outlived War, Colonialism \|work=Korea Times \|date=2008-02-11 \|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/02/117_18709.html }}</ref> During the restoration, 182 pages of blueprints for the gate were made as a contingency against any emergencies which may damage the structure.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Three Years Needed for Restoration \|last=Chung Ah-young \|work=Korea Times \|date=2008-02-11 \|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/02/113_18722.html }}</ref>

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