NEW : ` ` Mr. Chae '' was convicted of torching a Korean palace in 2006 . NEW : The gate was considered a national symbol to Koreans around the world . Chae has confessed to starting the Namdaemun fire , police chief says . Comment: Easy access , lightly populated area dictated Namdaemun choice , police say . The more-than-600-year-old Namdaemun was country 's oldest wooden structure .
NEW : ` ` Mr. Chae '' was convicted of torching a Korean palace in 2006 . NEW : Chae has confessed to starting the Namdaemun fire , police chief says . Comment: Easy access , lightly populated area dictated Namdaemun choice , police say . The more-than-600-year-old Namdaemun was country 's oldest wooden structure .