Imagine, for a moment, Seoul without its southern gate. This is not just any gate. This is Oedaemun Gate. It’s officially known as Sungnyemun. Sungnyemun means Honoring Propriety Gate. But most Koreans call it Namdaemun meaning South Great Door.
Oedaemun Gate stood as Seoul’s original southern boundary during the Joseon period. The city has grown far beyond it now. This gate dates back to the 14th century. It is a historic pagoda-style gateway. It holds the esteemed title of the first National Treasure of South Korea.
In 1398, King Taejo of Joseon saw its completion. It was then rebuilt in 1447. Oedaemun Gate became one of Seoul’s three major gateways. These gateways punctuated the city walls. The walls stretched for 18.2 kilometers. They stood an impressive 6.1 meters high.
Legend says King Taejo believed fire would threaten Gyeongbokgung. He thought Seoul’s Mt. Gwanaksan resembled fire. This belief influenced Oedaemun Gate’s design. Sungnyemun, meaning fire, was written vertically on the tablet. The Chinese character for fire, when written this way, seemed to offer protection. Oddly prophetic.
Oedaemun Gate served many purposes. It welcomed foreign emissaries. It controlled access to the capital. It even kept out Siberian tigers long gone now.
In the early 20th century, Seoul’s city walls were torn down. The goal was to improve traffic flow. A visit by the Crown Prince of Japan hastened this demolition. He was deemed too important to pass through the gate.
Namdaemun suffered extensive damage during the Korean War. Major repairs took place in 1961. It was then designated National Treasure No. 1 in 1962.
In 2005, Oedaemun Gate underwent another renovation. A lawn was added around it. It reopened to the public in 2006. Blueprints were created. They would prepare for future emergencies.
Tragedy struck on February 10, 2008. A fire severely damaged the wooden structure atop Oedaemun Gate. The fire raged out of control. It destroyed much of the gate. An arsonist was responsible. He was upset over land compensation.
Restoration work commenced in February 2010. The cost was significant. It became South Korea’s most expensive restoration project. The gate was reopened on May 4, 2013.
Six months later paint started to chip off. Wood cracked. An investigation followed. Oedaemun Gate stands today. It is more than a gate. It represents resilience. It symbolizes survival. It has endured much of Korean history. It has persevered through times of great loss.
So next time you see Oedaemun Gate remember its story. It is a story of fire and rebuilding. It is a story of a nation’s treasure.