Fire destroys cultural symbol of Korea

Posted By Blake Hounshell Monday, February 11, 2008 - 8:57 AM Share

JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images

The debris of the Namdaemun gate following a fire is seen in central Seoul on February 11, 2008. One of South Korea's most historic landmarks, the Namdaemun gate in the heart of the capital Seoul, collapsed after a blaze suspected to have been caused by arson.

UPDATE: Here's a before-and-after look at the gate, which is 610 years old. Police have now arrested a 70-year-old man suspected of igniting the blaze. Why would anyone do something like this?

JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images

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