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.
