Destroyed Gate to Be Restored to Original State

The Cultural Heritage Administration yesterday announced its plan to restore the traditional gate Sungnyemun, which was burned by an arsonist earlier this year, to its original state.

The plan calls for following the original design of the gate, which was compromised under Japanese occupation, by restoring walls on both sides and lowering the foundation as designed 600 years ago.

An official said the cultural agency envisions a landmark showing off the gate’s old beauty and glory.

▽ Restoration to original design

The walls sprawling from the gate was damaged in 1907 by the Japanese colonial government. Thus, the cultural agency will refer to photos and other data to restore Sungnyemun to its original design.

In 1900, the ground of the gate was elevated 1.6 times higher to accommodate trolley rails. Lee Geon-mu, head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, said, “According to certain accounts, a pond was in front of the gate. Should we verify it in our investigation, we will incorporate it into our restoration plan.”

A senior official in charge of the restoration said, “Considering the area around the gate, we can make the left wall 10 meters long and the right one 70 meters long.”

“Fire touched only the top parts of the four main pillars. I believe we can use them. Unfortunately, the fire devastated 95 percent of the traditional roof tiles. So we will make 25,000 tiles based on those which were on the gate prior to the 1961 renovation.”

To protect the new gate, infrared thermal detectors, smoke detectors and sprinklers will be installed. The restoration process will also be open to the public.

To remember the destruction of the gate, an exhibition hall will be built near the gate. To implement the plan, a lot of 660 square meters and two years of work will be needed.

The agency has preserved 35 types of building materials saved from the fire. The materials have been treated with a substance that hardens their surfaces. They will be stored in a facility in Gyeongbok Palace, and some will be selected via a thorough investigation for public display.

▽ Trained Eyes vs. Zeal for Project

A 10-member restoration taskforce in charge of the project comprises three advisory subcommittees. In addition, the team will invite nine veteran engineers who helped renovate the gate in 1961.

Critics, however, cite the lack of scholars and researchers in the taskforce since most of the team’s members are agency officials. Seven civilian experts will provide advisory services, while the investigation and analysis will be conducted by the taskforce.

An expert said, “We understand why the Cultural Heritage Administration badly wants to participate in the project. But most of the field work and investigation should be left to professionals. Otherwise, amateurs could botch the project.”

zeitung@donga.com