"First Lady Kim Gunhee Visits Gyeonghoeru Pavilion in Slippers on a Closed Day with Security... Who Was by Her Side?"

Photo of Lee Baeyong and Kim Gunhee Released Amid "Golden Turtle Bribery" Allegations

A photo of First Lady Kim Gunhee wearing a black dress and barefoot slippers has been released. Former National Education Committee Chair Lee Baeyong, who has recently faced allegations regarding the "golden turtle bribery," was by her side. The location where they were together is believed to be Gyeonghoeru Pavilion at Gyeongbokgung Palace.

First Lady Kim Gunhee and former National Education Committee Chairman Lee Baeyong. Screenshot from YouTube broadcast 'Reporter J Live.'

Joo Jinwoo, editor of SisaIN, revealed the photo on the YouTube broadcast "Reporter J Live" on October 20. In the photo, First Lady Kim has her hand on her waist, and next to her is former Chair Lee, dressed in a pink suit. There are also people nearby who appear to be aides and security personnel. The exact date the photo was taken has not been disclosed.

Joo Jinwoo claimed that the location was Jongmyo Shrine when releasing the photo. However, the interior closely resembles the second floor of Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, which is designated as National Treasure No. 224. Normally, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion is off-limits to the general public. However, from May 8 until October 31 of this year, it has been temporarily open to the public through a special viewing program.

Previously, the special prosecutor's team led by Min Junggi found a congratulatory letter, believed to have been written by Lee Baeyong to the former president and first lady, along with a golden turtle, while searching the nursing home operated by First Lady Kim's mother, Choi Eunsun. This led to suspicions that First Lady Kim may have exercised influence over Lee Baeyong's appointment as the first Chair of the National Education Committee under the Yoon Sukyeol administration in September 2022.

Lee Baeyong, Chair of the National Education Committee, is delivering a welcoming speech at the appointment ceremony and the first meeting of the 2nd National Curriculum Expert Committee held on June 30 at the International Conference Room of the Seoul Government Complex Annex in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News.

In fact, at the time of Lee Baeyong's appointment, there was controversy within the education sector regarding her suitability. She was criticized for holding a distorted view of history, including defending pro-Japanese figures, and was deemed unfit for a role responsible for designing the nation’s mid- to long-term education system.

After the bribery allegations surfaced, Lee Baeyong stated on September 1, "I am deeply sorry for this situation," and expressed her intention to resign. President Lee Jaemyung accepted her resignation on the 8th.

Meanwhile, the special prosecutor is currently investigating allegations that First Lady Kim held a private tea meeting with outsiders at Mangmyeoru in Jongmyo Shrine in September last year, while she was still First Lady. However, regarding the suspicions related to Gyeonghoeru Pavilion at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the special prosecutor clarified on this day that it is not part of the investigation.