In sorrow, man stands sentry at Seoul’s sites

On a central Seoul street, Kim Young-wu, right, surveys the fire-ravaged site of Namdaemun, which he used to guard. By Kang Young-hoon

His shift had ended only hours before the fire broke out.
Kim Young-wu had stood guard in traditional Korean costume at Namdaemun in central Seoul for six hours on Feb. 10, the day Seoul’s No. 1 National Treasure was struck by arson. He called it a day at 4 p.m., as usual.
When he saw the ancient wooden structure ablaze on television later that night, Kim, 21, was totally shocked. Immediately, he went to the 610-year-old gate to shed tears in front of the treasure he had so diligently guarded.
Kim was one of nine full-time costumed guards who kept Namdaemun secure in daytime. He guarded the structure daily against vandalism and trespassers, just as Joseon Dynasty soldiers had done.
In hot and cold weather, Kim had stood guard at the gate since last June. “I always felt pride that I stood in front of the symbol of Korea,” Kim said. “I regarded Namdaemun as my friend. I was so happy when a lot of tourists visited the historic landmark and supported me.” Now, not only is Kim’s friend gone, but also his job.
To Kim, earlier events on the Sunday of the gate’s fire boded bad luck. “On that day, my co-worker couldn’t make it to work because of his mother’s death,” Kim said. “Then a drunken man interfered with my work [during my shift]. I had a feeling that the day’s luck would be bad.”
However, Kim has put the sorrow behind him and made up his mind to guard another national treasure. He’s chosen Deoksu Palace, which used to be the royal residence in the Joseon Dynasty, only 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) north of Namdaemun. Now, he stands in front of Daehanmun, the main entrance to the royal palace, to protect the gate. “I am still sad when I recall the fire at Namdaemun,” he said. “It’s not easy for me to look at the area where the nation’s top landmark was destroyed.”

By Han Eun-hwa JoongAng Ilbo [enational@joongang.co.kr]