Play-with-Korea

Sungnyemun or more commonly known as Namdaemun is a historic gate located in the heart of Seoul, the capital of South Korea. The landmark is officially called Sungnyemun, literally "Gate of Exalted Ceremonies," as written in hanja on a plaque on the wooden structure. As the southern gate of the original walls surrounding Seoul during the Joseon Dynasty, it is widely known as Namdaemun, literally "Great Southern Gate." It is the first among the National Treasures of South Korea. However, because the Japanese advocated the name Namdaemun during their colonization to erase the Korean Empire's spirit, people are increasingly calling the gate Sungnyemun.
The wooden portion atop the gate was severely damaged by arson in the 2008 Namdaemun fire.