The Cultural Heritage Administration on Thursday held a special ceremony at the restoration site of Sungnyemun, commonly known as Namdaemun, announcing that the completion of its restoration is close at hand.

The historic gate of Seoul, which is also National Treasure No.1, was severely damaged by arson in 2008. The administration announced last month that the restoration will be completed by December.

The ceremony, titled “Sangryangsik,” consists of placing a piece of wood at the highest center of the gate.

“We are following the tradition of the Joseon Dyansty,” an official from the administration said. “The placing of the wood symbolizes that the construction of a building or a house is almost completed.”

Starting next month, the restoration team will begin placing “giwa,” Korean traditional roof tiles, on the gate’s roof. According to the cultural administration, the tiles are currently being made in Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province, by a group of traditional artists who specialize in giwa-making.

The arson damaged more than 90 percent of the original roof tiles. A total of 22,586 pieces of giwa will be used for the newly restored gate, the cultural administration said.

In May, the gate will be styled with “dancheong,” traditional decorative coloring on wooden buildings. The dancheong of the roof will follow the style of the early Joseon (1392-1897) era.

The gate site, which is currently cordoned off by fences and a curtain, will be unveiled in October, prior to the completion of restoration, the administration said.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)