After a taxi driver reportedly called in about a fire at 8:50 pm Sunday, it took 99 firefighters seven minutes to get to the fire scene at Namdaemun. Up to 360 firefighters were involved in trying to save the South Gate of Seoul – originally called Sungnyemun - from what could be the work of an arson or an electric fault. Constructed from 1395 to 1398, it was until recently the oldest wooden structure in Seoul. Rebuilding may take two to three years, and costs are quoted from 10 bill. to 20 bill. won. The insurance policy for fire damage will only cover 95 mil. won ($101,000).
Many people feel strongly about their National Treasure No.1 (as it is designated by the Cultural Heritage Administration), and the government has held an emergency meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. A parking lot attendant cited in the JoongAng Ilbo (here) is quoted as saying: “My heart is aching. I have seen Namdaemun every day for 40 years. We elderly people feel shamed because we could not protect our ancestors’ heritage.” Lee Kyung-sook, chairman of the transition team for the incoming government, echoes: “I feel sorry to our descendents for failing to protect the gate” (here). People are quietly drawn to the scene (yours truly included) observing, taking photographs, and some putting down chrysanthemums, normally offered to the deceased.
By irony, luck, or coincidence, Sungnyemun’s tablet inscriptions were saved. As the Korea Tourist Organization (here) explains: “Sungnyemun’s name means fire, which is from the harmony of the Five Elements and if written vertically, the Chinese character ‘fire’ looks as if it is providing protection”
Timeline from JoongAng Daily
In April 2005, Naksan Temple, one of the country’s oldest Buddhist temples and a National Treasure, was lost to fire. It is just more than two months since Korea’s worst oil spill in history
At this early stage, reports have been somewhat contradictory. For some selections see:
- IHT: Fire destroys centuries-old national treasure in Seoul [February 11, 2008]
- JoongAng Ilbo: Delays and passivity criticized: Firefighters, cultural administration blamed for failing to save Namdaemun [February 12 2008]
- Yonhap News: Centuries-old gate collapses in fire [2008/02/11 19:20 KST]
