Some of the colorful paint on the newly restored Sungnyemun Gate in central Seoul has come off just five months after the gate’s opening to the public, allegedly due to poor execution of the traditional method of painting.

According to the Cultural Heritage Administration on Tuesday, about 20 sections of dancheong painting on the gate are visibly damaged. Most of the damaged parts face the south and were extensively exposed to sunlight.

The CHA opened the upper portion of the gate to the press on Tuesday and explained that the traditional method of using natural glue made from cowhide as a base and then painting on it may have caused the problem.

“Our traditional glue is quite fragile against wind, rain and other natural elements,” said Hong Chang-won, a dancheong master who took part in the restoration project. Hong also said that excessive use of shell powder in the paint may have caused the peeling.

Hwang Pyeong-woo, director of the Korea Cultural Heritage Policy Research Institute, claimed that the craftsmen used Japanese glue, which is not suitable for the Korean environment.

“It is a grave problem that the masters did not follow tradition while they claimed to have been doing so. In fact, I don’t think any of those people know what the real problem is,” he said.

The CHA said it would complete a thorough review within this month.

Sungnyemun Gate, National Treasure No. 1, was opened to the public on May 4 after 63 months of restoration work following an arson attack in 2008.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)