Namdaemun Gate Damaged

Date: February 10, 2008 • Location: Seoul, Korea, Republic of

The Namdaemun gate in Seoul, the first of South Korea's National Treasures, was severely damaged by arson (damage pictured).

Namdaemun, a.k.a. the Sungnyemun, is the southern gate of The Eight Gates of Seoul making part of the Seoul City Wall marking the city's original boundary during the Joseon period, although the city has since significantly outgrown it after that. It is located in Jung District between Seoul Station and Seoul Plaza, with the historic 24-hour Namdaemun Market next to the gate.