South Koreans collectively mourned the razing of the nation's No. 1 national treasure, the Sungnyemun (literally "Gate of Exalted Ceremonies"), after an arsonist torched the 600-year-old gate Feb. 10.
Reportedly one of the oldest remaining wooden structures in Seoul, the former castle gate, also popularly known as Namdaemun (Southern Gate), had survived the Japanese invasion during the Joseon dynasty in 1592, the Manchurian invasion of Korea in 1636 and the Korean War.
But in a manner of hours, it was reduced to ash and stone rubble, thanks to paint thinner and a disposable lighter - the tools used in the arson, according to local police.
It took three years to finish the gate, the construction of which began in 1395 after the Joseon dynasty moved the capital to Seoul. Sungnyemun, which originally abutted a castle wall, had stood alone on Namdaemunro Street in central Seoul for years. The Japanese had destroyed the castle wall during its colonization, but the gate - made of wood and stone with a two-tiered tiled roof - survived. It had undergone restoration work and repairs over the years. A new plaza was built around the gate in 2005 and opened to the public in 2006.
Authorities arrested 69-year-old man Chae Jong-gi, who they said confessed to the crime. They said Chae has torched other historic structures in the past. His motive in the gate fire was a grievance over not being compensated properly in a land development deal, authorities said.
South Korean President-elect Lee Myung-bak has proposed starting a private fund to finance the restoration of the structure, which is estimated to cost 20 billion won (about $21 million).
- Julie Ha, compiled from wire reports