[2025 Audit] Kim Keonhee Sat on the Dragon Throne in Geunjeongjeon... Criticism for "Treating the Throne as a Personal Sofa" (Comprehensive)

Tour of Restricted Areas: Inside Gyeonghoeru Pavilion and Geunjeongjeon Hall
Accompanied by Former Education Chairperson Lee Baeyong and Former Cultural Heritage Administrator Choi Eungcheon

On October 22, during the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee audit, there was strong criticism after it was confirmed that First Lady Kim Keonhee entered the interior of Geunjeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace-a restricted area-and even sat on the dragon throne.

The Cultural Heritage Administration stated in materials submitted to Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Lim Ohkyung's office, a member of the committee, that "we confirm that on September 12, 2023, Kim Keonhee sat on the dragon throne (royal seat) during her visit to Geunjeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace."

Previously, on September 3, 2024, Kim Keonhee sparked controversy over the private use of state heritage sites by holding a tea gathering with outsiders at Jongmyo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Now, controversy over the private use of Gyeongbokgung Palace has been added.

According to the "Situation Room Management Log" prepared by the Gyeongbokgung Palace Management Office under the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center, Kim Keonhee stayed at Gyeongbokgung Palace for about two hours from 1:35 p.m. to 3:26 p.m. on September 12, 2023. That day was a Tuesday, when the palace is usually closed. The log refers to Kim Keonhee as "VIP" and states that she entered through the Hyopseongmun Gate and toured Geunjeongjeon Hall, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, and Heungbokjeon Hall.

The Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "After confirming with an official who was present at the time, it was verified that Kim Keonhee did sit on the dragon throne (royal seat) in Geunjeongjeon Hall," but added, "The royal seat is believed to be a replica."

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

According to the Cultural Heritage Administration, Kim Keonhee was accompanied during her visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace by Lee Baeyong, former Chairperson of the National Education Commission; Choi Eungcheon, former Administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration (now Cultural Heritage Administration); and Hwang Seongwoon, former Secretary for Culture and Sports at the Presidential Office. Although Gyeonghoeru Pavilion is also usually off-limits, it was confirmed that Kim Keonhee, along with Chairperson Lee and former Administrator Choi, went up to the second floor that day.

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Cho Gyeweon questioned Jeong Yongseok, president of the National Museum Culture Foundation, who appeared as a witness at the audit, about why Chairperson Lee Baeyong accompanied the First Lady. At the time, in September 2023, Jeong was serving as an administrator for culture and sports at the Presidential Secretariat and accompanied Kim Keonhee during her visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace. Jeong Yongseok stated, "I recall that the Presidential Secretariat requested Chairperson Lee Baeyong's attendance, and that she provided explanations about Gyeongbokgung Palace."

Lawmaker Cho Gyeweon criticized Kim Keonhee for sitting on the royal seat in Geunjeongjeon Hall, saying, "Kim Keonhee is addicted to self-aggrandizement," and added, "She treated national heritage as a prop for self-display, like a sofa, which damages the value of national heritage and constitutes an insult to the nation."

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Yang Moonseok defined Kim Keonhee's visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace as an illegal intrusion and damage to a national treasure. Geunjeongjeon Hall is National Treasure No. 223, and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion is National Treasure No. 224.

Yang Moonseok asked why Kim Keonhee visited Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Jeong Yongseok replied that he recalled she went to receive explanations in preparation for the Gyeongbokgung Palace Woldae Restoration Commemorative Event. The event was held on October 15, 2023. In response, Yang Moonseok said, "When has a president's wife ever conducted a preliminary visit?" and pointed out, "It was a private visit, and President Yoon Sukyeol did not even attend the Woldae Restoration Commemorative Event."

Jung Yongseok, president of the National Museum Cultural Foundation, is listening to questions regarding the suspicion of First Lady Kim Keonhee sitting on the dragon throne of Geunjeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace during the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee's audit on the National Museum of Korea, National Library of Korea, and others held in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 22nd.
Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Yang Moonseok also asked whether Kim Keonhee sat on the royal seat in Geunjeongjeon Hall of her own accord or if someone suggested she do so. Jeong Yongseok initially said he could not clearly recall the situation, but after repeated questioning, answered, "I think she probably sat down on her own," and added, "Since we were moving, even if she did sit, it would have been for only one or two minutes."

Later, when Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Lee Giheon asked, "Did former Chairperson Lee Baeyong suggest that Kim Keonhee sit on the royal seat?" Jeong Yongseok replied, "Perhaps she did."

Yoo Hongjun, Director of the National Museum of Korea and former head of the Cultural Heritage Administration (now Cultural Heritage Administration), responded to lawmaker Cho Gyeweon's question about his view on the issue by saying, "I think, as all citizens do, that it was wrong."

Choi Eungcheon, the former head of the Cultural Heritage Administration who accompanied Kim Keonhee on her visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace, did not attend the audit that day. As a result, questions were directed at Jeong Yongseok.

Lawmaker Lee Giheon, Yang Moonseok, and others requested that former Administrator Choi Eungcheon be summoned as a witness and asked Committee Chair Kim Gyohung to ensure that he appears at the comprehensive audit scheduled for the 29th.