The restoration site of Sungnyemun gate, Korea’s No. 1 National Treasure, has been open to the public on the first anniversary of the fire that destroyed it.

Various events were held Tuesday around the restoration site to mark the first anniversary, including a prayer session for a successful restoration.

Chief of Culture Heritage Administration Yi Kun-moo told reporters that there will be no problems for the gate in keeping its national treasure status because the structure still has its original stonework and more than 70 percent of subsidiary materials will be restored and used in the restoration.

The government plans to fully restore the gate by December 2012.

The National Palace Museum plans to hold a special exhibition displaying pictures and paintings of the original gate from Tuesday, February 10th, through March 8th.