Arsonist behind Namdaemun gate fire in Seoul imprisoned for 10 years

April 25, 2008 

The arsonist responsible for setting fire to the historic Sungnyemun gate (more commonly referred to as Namdaemun gate) in Seoul, South Korea in February has been sentenced to ten years' imprisonment. The 600-year-old landmark was considred one of the nation's greatest and most iconic, with some sources describing it as the single most important one in the country. 
The 69-year-old male defendant has a previous conviction from two years ago for attempting to torch the palace, for which he received a suspended prison sentence and was fined. It is understood he destroyed the Namdaemun gate and attacked the palace over an unconnected land ownership dispute which had angered him. He felt that the compulsory purchase of his home a decade ago had been inadequatly compensated for by the state. 
After the fire, residents left flowers at the scene and wrote grieving notes.
Arsonist behind Namdaemun gate fire in Seoul imprisoned for 10 years April 25 , 2008 The arsonist responsible for setting fire to the historic Sungnyemun gate ( more commonly referred to as Namdaemun gate ) in Seoul , South Korea in February has been sentenced to ten years ' imprisonment . The 600 - year - old landmark was considred one of the nation 's greatest and most iconic , with some sources describing it as the single most important one in the country . The 69 - year - old male defendant has a previous conviction from two years ago for attempting to torch the palace , for which he received a suspended prison sentence and was fined . It is understood he destroyed the Namdaemun gate and attacked the palace over an unconnected land ownership dispute which had angered him . He felt that the compulsory purchase of his home a decade ago had been inadequatly compensated for by the state . After the fire , residents left flowers at the scene and wrote grieving notes .
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