Sungnyemun is one of the Eight Gates in the Fortress Wall of Seoul, and was constructed in the 14th century to defend the capital of Joseon (present-day Seoul). The gate serves as an important cultural landmark and it is officially designated as a national treasure. Having grown up in Hong Kong, I often felt a severe disconnect from my Korean heritage. However, walking through Sungnyemun\u2019s arched entrance as a child and observing its simple (yet elegant) design was the first time I experienced what could be described as a sense of pride for my country, and it was an important first step for me in reconciling with my somewhat nebulous identity.<\/p>\n
In 2008, approximately one year after I visited Seoul, Sungnyemun was set on fire by an arsonist. As a result, the almost 600-year-old gate was severely damaged. The wooden pagoda was completely burned down and the stone structure beneath it was damaged by the fire. When I saw the news of the fire from back home in Hong Kong, I was not quite sure how to process what I was witnessing from afar. After all, I was quite young, and the idea that (in the eyes of an 8-year-old child) such a grand monument could be destroyed in the blink of an eye was incomprehensible.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, Sungnyemun was restored and open to the public in 2013, and I make a point to visit the site every time I visit Seoul.<\/p>\n
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