The remains

In a somewhat sadistic fashion, Lauren and I snapped several photographs of the charred Namdaemun gate.

As Lauren informed me from her copy of the Korea Times, restoration will cost around 20 billion won and will take three years to complete. After the burning of Naksan Temple in 2005, precautions were taken to prevent further catastophes of other wooden structures in Korea. Unfortunately Namdaemun was yet to receive this treatment.

According to oriental topographers, Namdaemun served as a block from the negative energies of Mount Gwanak to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the three of which lie in a straight line. It has been suggested that if Namdaemun were not to exist, the fire would have blast straight through to the palace. As a result of the fire, the city may see increased crime as the "hot temper" of the energies from Mount Gwanak are free to flow.

Oh, and arson is also a suspected cause.

Donation for Gate Restoration Proposed
Poor Security Blamed for Gate Burnout
Mysterious Energy Linked to Blaze