Restored Sungnyemun set to reopen
Sungnyemun, the historic Seoul city gate registered as National Treasure No. 1, will be reopened to the public Saturday, more than five years after it was severely damaged by an arson. / Yonhap
By Baek Byung-yeul
Sungnyemun, also known as Namdaemun or South Gate, a 600-year-old landmark of Seoul, will reopen later this week, five years after it was severely damaged by an arson attack, the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) said Monday.
The CHA will hold a ceremony to mark the restoration of the gate, Saturday afternoon at Sungnyemun.
The ceremony will cap off the 27-billion-won ($25-million) effort to restore the gateway, listed as the nation’s No.1 National Treasure, after a 69-year-old man set fire to it in February 2008 in an act of rage against the government. Some 90 percent of the upper floor was damaged as well as 10 percent of the lower level.
“The principle of the project was to restore Sungnyemun to its form before the fire. We also set out to restore the fortress walls and foundations on both sides of the gate to its form before its destruction under Japanese rule,” a CHA official said.
Some 700 million won of the funds came from public donations.
Sungnyemun served as the south gate of Seoul during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). The kingdom’s third king, King Taejong, ordered its construction in 1395; it was completed three years later.
During Japanese colonial rule (1910-45), the walls on both sides of the gate were demolished for road construction. It was also damaged during the Korean War (1950-1953).
The CHA said it has bolstered security around the gate, adding heat detectors and a new surveillance system. The CHA will also take over management of the gate from Jung-gu office.
The ceremony will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. under the theme “Sungnyemun, a new door of culture wide open.” It will feature traditional performances at the gate as well as in Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul.
Admission to Gyeongbok, Changdeok, Chaggyeong and Deoksu palaces as well as the Jongmyo Shrine will be free of charge to mark the occasion.
Starting with the ceremony, Sungnyemun will be open to visitors Tuesday through Sunday (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.). In May, the opening hours will be extended by an hour until 7 p.m.