Report on the Republic of Korea's National Treasure No. 1, Sungnyemun
In the Previous Post
In the previous post, we briefly discussed the difference between Korea's National Treasures and Treasures. https://blacksea22.tistory.com/entry/KoreaHeritage
Starting today, I plan to introduce Korea's National Treasures and Treasures one by one, alternating between them.
How Many National Treasures Are There in Korea?
As of January 2025, there are 350 National Treasures in Korea, designated as tangible cultural properties of significant historical value by the state.
Today, let's look at the first of these: Sungnyemun (Namdaemun Gate).
1. Sungnyemun (崇禮門)
Location: 40 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
Category: Monument / Political Defense / Fortress / Fortification
Scale: Single structure
Period: Built in 1398 (7th year of King Taejo, Joseon Dynasty)
Designation Date: December 20, 1962
Ownership: State property
Management: National Heritage Administration, Deoksugung Office
Link: Official website
Source: Namuwiki
2. Namdaemun (South Great Gate)
Sungnyemun is commonly known as "Namdaemun," which literally means "South Great Gate." This is the southern gate of Seoul's old fortress walls. Originally, "Namdaemun" was just a common name, not the official title, but it became widely used even in the Joseon Dynasty.
Commoners, unfamiliar with Chinese characters, found "Namdaemun" easier and more natural. Even court records and official documents from the Joseon Dynasty, such as the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty and the Ilseongnok, frequently used "Namdaemun."
Until 1996, the official name in cultural heritage records was "Seoul Namdaemun," and the surrounding area was named after it (e.g., Namdaemun Market). The name "Sungnyemun" was almost forgotten until it was reinstated as the official title by the Cultural Heritage Committee.
Source: Namuwiki
3. A National Tragedy: The Fire of 2008
On February 10, 2008, during the Lunar New Year holidays, Sungnyemun was set on fire by a man in his seventies, disgruntled over land compensation issues. The entire country mourned as the flames reduced the historic structure to ashes.
The fire began around 8:45 p.m., when the man poured gasoline from a 1.5-liter PET bottle onto the second floor and ignited it with a lighter. He had previously committed arson at Changgyeonggung Palace two years earlier.
The second floor was over 90% destroyed, while about 10% of the first floor was also damaged. The fire raged for more than five hours, leaving Sungnyemun a tragic ruin.
Despite surviving the Imjin War and the Korean War, Sungnyemun fell to a single act of arson. The perpetrator was sentenced to ten years in prison and was released in 2018. The restoration, which cost 22.5 billion KRW (approximately 20 million USD), took five years and three months. Sungnyemun reopened to the public in May 2013, but the incident remains a painful memory.
4. Cultural Heritage Disaster Prevention Day
In response to the tragedy, the Cultural Heritage Administration established a system for disaster prevention and restoration of cultural properties. Since then, April 5 has been designated as "Cultural Heritage Disaster Prevention Day" to honor this effort and to remember the significance of protecting cultural heritage.
As we look back on Sungnyemun’s past, let’s also think about the importance of preserving cultural heritage for future generations.
Korean version
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