Prince Uichin Memorial Association:
"First Lady's Actions Disregard National Dignity"
First Lady Kim Gunhee and Jongmyo Mangmyoru. Photo by Kang Jinhyung, Cultural Heritage Administration
Lee Jun, Chairman of the Prince Uichin Memorial Association and great-grandson of Emperor Gojong, expressed anger and demanded an apology from First Lady Kim Gunhee regarding the controversy over her tea gathering at Jongmyo. He emphasized that it is unthinkable for the First Lady to invite acquaintances and hold such an event at Jongmyo, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
On the 27th, the Prince Uichin Memorial Association released a statement under Chairman Lee Jun's name, saying, "Jongmyo, which enshrines our direct ancestors and symbolizes the legitimacy of the nation, is not a cafe that an individual can use to impress acquaintances at will." Chairman Lee Jun's grandfather, Prince Uichin (1877-1955), was the second son of Emperor Gojong.
The statement continued, "Holding a private tea gathering in Mangmyoru, a restricted area, on Jongmyo's closing day is an act that disregards the dignity of the Republic of Korea. Direct descendants who hold Jongmyo sacred and approach it with reverence are deeply dismayed by such behavior from the spouse of the head of state."
He further criticized, "Even during the Joseon Dynasty, kings paid their respects and reflected on their ancestors in this sacred place. It should never be turned into a venue for laughing and chatting with acquaintances."
Previously, controversy arose when it was reported that on September 3 of last year, a day when Jongmyo was closed to the public, Kim Gunhee invited acquaintances to hold a tea gathering in Mangmyoru, an area off-limits to the general public. To facilitate this, Jongmyo management staff were reportedly instructed the day before to clean the area, including removing cobwebs, and to move furniture such as refrigerators from Changdeokgung Palace. Additionally, vehicles entered and exited through the fire gate, and the CCTV system within the premises was turned off, raising allegations of private misuse.
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