[2025 Audit] Jongmyo Becomes a "Cafe" with Kim Keon-hee's Visit... National Heritage Chief Apologizes to the Public

Director Heo Min Issues Official Apology at Parliamentary Audit
Launches Internal Audit and Comprehensive Investigation

Heo Min, Director of the National Heritage Administration, responding to the National Assembly audit Photo by Yonhap News

Heo Min, Director of the National Heritage Administration, has officially apologized for the controversy surrounding former President Yoon Suk-yeol's wife, Kim Keon-hee, and her alleged "private use of national heritage." The apology comes as a wave of criticism has erupted following revelations that she held a private tea meeting at Jongmyo, sat on the royal throne in Geunjeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace, and entered the storage area of the National Palace Museum of Korea.

At the National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee audit on the 29th, Director Heo stood up and bowed his head, saying, "As the person responsible for preserving and managing national heritage, I am deeply sorry to the public." He admitted to inadequate management, stating, "These are private actions that no one can understand and privileges that should never have occurred."

However, it was Choi Eungcheon, the former director, who was in charge at the time of the controversy. Heo Min took office in July this year. The National Heritage Administration is currently conducting an internal audit. Director Heo stated, "We have launched a comprehensive investigation and are reinforcing our audit personnel."

It was confirmed that in September last year, Kim Keon-hee held a closed-door tea meeting at the UNESCO World Heritage site Jongmyo, inviting foreigners and others, and even toured the royal spirit chamber, which is usually off-limits to the general public. The spirit chamber is a space where the ancestral tablets of past kings and queens are enshrined.

Kyoheung, Chairman of the National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, instructed the execution after delivering the accompanying summons for former National Education Commission Chairman Lee Baeyong and former Cultural Heritage Administration Commissioner Choi Eungcheon, who did not appear as witnesses at the comprehensive national audit held that day, to the National Assembly legislative investigator and security officer during the full committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 29th. Photo by Yonhap News

It was also revealed that in September 2023, prior to these events, she ascended Geunjeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace and sat on the ceremonial royal throne reserved for the king. In March of the same year, she visited the storage area of the National Palace Museum of Korea, but there is no record of her visit.

The Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee criticized the National Heritage Administration for acting as a "guide" rather than a regulator. Assemblyman Jo Gye-won stated, "Whenever Kim Keon-hee visits, Jongmyo becomes a cafe, the royal throne in Geunjeongjeon Hall becomes her personal sofa, and the museum storage becomes her private study," adding, "Instead of stopping her, the National Heritage Administration protected her." Director Heo responded, "We will conduct a thorough investigation, including reviewing all related records and staff statements."

The National Heritage Administration plans to reconfirm the facts with those responsible at Jongmyo, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and the museum at the time, and to investigate whether any regulations were violated. Depending on the results of the investigation, personnel action may also be considered.