S. Korea's top cultural treasure rises from the ashes
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In this picture taken on Oct 9, 2012, a craftsman works on ornamental painting of South Korea's foremost historical treasure, Namdaemun (South Gate), which was engulfed in flames lit by an arsonist on Feb 10, 2008. -- PHOTO: AFP
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In this picture taken on Oct 9, 2012, craftsmen restore South Korea's foremost historical treasure, Namdaemun (South Gate), which was engulfed in flames lit by an arsonist on Feb 10, 2008. -- PHOTO: AFP
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In this picture taken on Oct 9, 2012, a craftsman paints South Korea's foremost historical treasure, Namdaemun (South Gate), which was engulfed in flames lit by an arsonist on Feb 10, 2008. -- PHOTO: AFP
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In this picture taken on Oct 9, 2012, ornamental paint is shown under the roofs of South Korea's foremost historical treasure, Namdaemun (South Gate), which was engulfed in flames lit by an arsonist on Feb 10, 2008. -- PHOTO: AFP
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In this picture taken on Oct 9, 2012, craftsmen restore South Korea's foremost historical treasure, Namdaemun (South Gate), which was engulfed in flames lit by an arsonist on Feb 10, 2008. -- PHOTO: AFP
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In this picture taken on Oct 9, 2012, craftsmen restore South Korea's foremost historical treasure, Namdaemun (South Gate), which was engulfed in flames lit by an arsonist on Feb 10, 2008. -- PHOTO: AFP
In this picture taken on Oct 9, 2012, a craftsman works on ornamental painting of South Korea's foremost historical treasure, Namdaemun (South Gate), which was engulfed in flames lit by an arsonist on Feb 10, 2008. -- PHOTO: AFP
In this picture taken on Oct 9, 2012, craftsmen restore South Korea's foremost historical treasure, Namdaemun (South Gate), which was engulfed in flames lit by an arsonist on Feb 10, 2008. -- PHOTO: AFP
In this picture taken on Oct 9, 2012, a craftsman paints South Korea's foremost historical treasure, Namdaemun (South Gate), which was engulfed in flames lit by an arsonist on Feb 10, 2008. -- PHOTO: AFP
In this picture taken on Oct 9, 2012, ornamental paint is shown under the roofs of South Korea's foremost historical treasure, Namdaemun (South Gate), which was engulfed in flames lit by an arsonist on Feb 10, 2008. -- PHOTO: AFP
In this picture taken on Oct 9, 2012, craftsmen restore South Korea's foremost historical treasure, Namdaemun (South Gate), which was engulfed in flames lit by an arsonist on Feb 10, 2008. -- PHOTO: AFP
In this picture taken on Oct 9, 2012, craftsmen restore South Korea's foremost historical treasure, Namdaemun (South Gate), which was engulfed in flames lit by an arsonist on Feb 10, 2008. -- PHOTO: AFP
SEOUL (AFP) - Five years ago, as he watched TV images of South Korea's foremost historical treasure being engulfed in flames lit by a lone arsonist, Mr Hong Chang Won remembers having to turn his head away.
"It was too heartbreaking to see such beautiful architecture being destroyed like that," said Mr Hong, a registered master craftsman who specialises in traditional Korean ornamental painting.
Seoul's 600-year-old Namdaemun (South Gate), listed as "National Treasure Number One" and a source of immense cultural pride, was almost burned to the ground on Feb 10, 2008.
The largely wooden structure that had managed to survive the devastation of the 1950-53 Korean War was reduced to ashes by a disgruntled 69-year-old man with some paint thinner and a cigarette lighter.