[2025 Audit] Kim Geonhee Criticized for Private Visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace: "Damaging the Value of Cultural Heritage"

Assemblyman Jo Gyeweon: "Kim Geonhee Treated the Dragon Throne in Geunjeongjeon Hall as Her Personal Sofa"

During the National Assembly inspection by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on October 22, a series of criticisms were raised regarding Kim Keonhee's private visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace in September 2023.

It was previously revealed that on September 3, 2024, Kim Keonhee held a tea gathering with outsiders at Jongmyo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site, sparking controversy over the misuse of national heritage sites. Recently, it was also confirmed that Kim Keonhee privately visited Gyeongbokgung Palace on September 12, 2023. During this visit, Kim Keonhee reportedly entered Geunjeongjeon Hall (National Treasure No. 223) and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion (National Treasure No. 224), areas that are usually off-limits, within Gyeongbokgung Palace, which is designated as Historic Site No. 117.

Yang Moonseok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, defined Kim Keonhee’s visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace as an illegal intrusion and damage case involving Kim Keonhee at Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, a national treasure of the Republic of Korea, and questioned Jeong Yongseok, president of the National Museum Culture Foundation, about the situation at the time. At the time, in September 2023, Jeong Yongseok was serving as an administrator for culture and sports at the Presidential Secretariat and accompanied Kim Keonhee during her visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace. It was confirmed that, in addition to Jeong Yongseok, Choi Eungcheon, former head of the National Heritage Administration, and Lee Baeyong, former chairperson of the National Education Commission, also accompanied Kim Keonhee during the visit.

Yang Moonseok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is questioning Jeong Yongseok, president of the National Museum Culture Foundation, about the suspicion that Mrs. Kim Geonhee sat on the dragon throne in Geunjeongjeon Hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace during the National Assembly inspection of the National Museum and National Library held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 22nd.
Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Assemblyman Yang Moonseok asked why Kim Keonhee visited Gyeongbokgung Palace, to which Jeong Yongseok replied that, to his recollection, it was to hear an explanation as part of a preliminary inspection for the Gyeongbokgung Woldae Restoration Commemoration Event. The Gyeongbokgung Woldae Restoration Commemoration Event was held on October 15, 2023.

In response, Assemblyman Yang Moonseok pointed out, "When has the wife of the president ever gone for a preliminary inspection?" and stated, "It was a private visit, and in fact, President Yoon Sukyeol himself did not attend the Woldae Restoration Commemoration Event."

Assemblyman Yang Moonseok further questioned whether Kim Keonhee sat on the throne in Geunjeongjeon Hall during her visit, asking whether she sat there of her own accord or if someone suggested she do so.

Jeong Yongseok initially responded that he could not clearly remember the situation at the time, but under continued questioning, he replied, "I think she probably sat there on her own," and added, "Since we were moving, even if she did sit, it would have been for only about one or two minutes."

Democratic Party Assemblyman Cho Gyeweon asked Jeong Yongseok why Lee Baeyong accompanied the visit. Jeong Yongseok replied, "To my recollection, the Presidential Secretariat requested Lee Baeyong’s attendance, and I remember that she provided explanations about Gyeongbokgung Palace."

Assemblyman Cho Gyeweon criticized Kim Keonhee's sitting on the dragon throne in Geunjeongjeon Hall, stating, "Kim Keonhee is addicted to self-aggrandizement," and argued, "She treated a national heritage as if it were a sofa for her own display, thereby damaging the value of the national heritage and committing an act that insults the nation."