The government has decided to restore the Sungnyemun city gate to its original form after the Joseon Dynasty landmark was destroyed by fire Sunday night.

Deputy Administrator Lee Seong-won of the Cultural Heritage Administration visited the remains of the gate on Monday. He told reporters his agency will lead restoration efforts based on records of repair work done in the 1960s.

Lee pledged to use as much of the remaining materials as possible. In addition, walls on both sides of the gate will be restored to their original form, as they had been altered during Japanese colonial rule. The agency will launch an advisory committee comprising cultural and fire safety experts to study restoration plans.

Lee added the restoration will take about three years and cost 20 billion won, or over 21 million dollars.

Meanwhile, a government emergency meeting led by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo decided to carry out a thorough probe into the cause of the fire. The government will also consult experts to restore the gate to its former glory as soon as possible.