The south gate of Seoul, Sungnyemun (or Namdaemun), is the number one national treasure of Korea. The name of this gate represents that respecting politeness which is a peculiarity of Korean people. Sungnyemun was a meaningful traditional structure as it was the oldest wooden structure in Seoul. During the past 600 years, although Sungnyemun has damaged several times, it braced itself against the wind of time in the middle of Seoul, Korea.
Nothing is permanentKorea’s number one national treasure, Sungnyemun, was swallowed by fire in February 2nd, 2008. A man who lost his temper set it on fire. Every Korean people were just looking at the burning symbolic representation of Korea. They got angry, choked with rage, and cried, but there was nothing they could do.
I am pretty sure that the reason why this disaster happened was due to the fact that Korea did not give careful attention to our proud treasure and to our history. Korea, that dare forgot its priceless history and its value, should take time for self-examination. Now, we must see the beautifully reconstructed Sungnyemun as a motive, and take care of our nation’s historical values with keen interests so that we can turn those things over to our descendants.
I recommand you to watch below video clip and to feel something from it.
