By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter

Seoul Central District Court sentenced 70-year-old Chae Jong-gi to 10 years imprisonment for setting fire to Namdaemun gate.

The arson attack completely destroyed the country's National Treasure No. 1 also known as Sungnyemun.

Chae was arrested for setting the cultural property ablaze after pouring paint thinner on the floor of the wooden upper structure on Feb. 10. He admitted the crime, saying he committed it out of anger with authorities for ignoring his petition against developers who he alleged did not pay him in full for land he sold to them.

''Chae deserves the heavy punishment, as the loss of Sungnyemun gave the public indescribable mental damage and injured national prestige,'' the court said in its ruling.

Sungnyemun, built in 1398 as the main southern entrance to the capital, was a renowned part of Korean cultural heritage, having survived numerous disasters over more than 600 years.

''Even upon restoration, it will not have its original appearance and people's mental wounds will not recover easily. The restoration also requires huge financing and national support,'' it also said.

Chae confessed to the arson but kept denouncing the authorities over the land compensation issue and consequently he may repeat such a crime so heavy punishment is necessary, the court said.

It was Chae's second act of arson ― in April of 2006, he was given an 18-month prison term, suspended for two years, for starting a fire that demolished part of Changgyeong Palace in Seoul, a World Heritage site.

''He committed the arson during the suspended jail term. It is an anti-social act unacceptable in a law-governed country. He blamed the authorities and society for the failed compensation and committed the crime out of anger, and this is a violent, illegal act that does not abide by legal procedure,'' the court said.

The court, however, acknowledged that government agencies in managing cultural properties were partially responsible as they failed to prepare measures against fire.

Reconstruction work is now underway at an approximate cost of 25 billion won ($25 million). It is expected to reopen in 2012.

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr