Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Namdaemun Gate Torched By An Arsonist



Namdaemun is in the heart of Seoul and was the oldest wooden structure in Seoul. It had survived 600 years until a 70 year old Korean arsonist set it ablaze. The arsonist confessed that he was angry at the treatment and compensation he received when his land was confisgated for housing construction. This wasn't his first arson. In 2006, he set Changgyeong Palace in Seoul on fire. He was on a suspended sentence.

Namdaemun became officially Korea's number one treasure on December 20, 1962. The rebuilding is already being discussed but what a profound loss to Korea and the Korean people.

2 comments:

missiy said...

So have you learned enough Korean to speak it? Or to watch their "soap operas?"

Becky said...

Hi Mississy: I know the important stuff: Hello, thank you, I don't know... Thanks to yoga, I am learning to count in Korean. I am definitely a work in progress.

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