"Sitting on the Royal Throne, Holding a Private Tea Gathering at Jongmyo"... National Heritage Administration Files Police Complaint Against Kim Gunhee

Announcement of Special Internal Audit Results
"Confirmed Interference with Heritage Management and Personal Misappropriation"
Suspension and Severe Disciplinary Action Requested for Head of Palaces and Tombs Heritage Headquarters

The first trial of Mrs. Kim Gunhee, who was arrested and indicted on charges of stock price manipulation and allegations of receiving money from the Unification Church, was held on the afternoon of the 24th. Mrs. Kim is entering the courtroom and talking with her lawyer. September 24, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps

The National Heritage Administration has filed a police complaint against Kim Gunhee, the wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, on charges of private misuse of national heritage and obstruction of official duties. This action follows the agency's own audit, which found that Mrs. Kim privatized national heritage sites and interfered with management activities, such as sitting on the royal throne in Geunjeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace-a designated national treasure-and holding private tea gatherings at Jongmyo Shrine.

The National Heritage Administration announced on the 21st that it had completed a special internal audit regarding suspicions of private misuse of national heritage and reported Mrs. Kim to the Jongno Police Station in Seoul. Considering the seriousness of the matter, a temporary special audit team under the Deputy Administrator had been operating since November of last year. This action is separate from the special prosecutor’s investigation, which concluded in December and was handed over to the police. The National Heritage Administration, as the responsible ministry, is pursuing administrative and legal accountability for violations it independently confirmed.

According to the audit results, Mrs. Kim held a private tea gathering at Mangmyoru Pavilion in Jongmyo Shrine for personal reasons, even though it was not an official state event or a meeting with foreign guests. She also made a private, undisclosed visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace on a day it was closed, going beyond a simple tour to inspect the storage facilities of the National Palace Museum. Additionally, she exceeded the President’s authority by conducting a pre-inspection of the restoration ceremony for the Gwanghwamun Woldae and signboard. An official from the National Heritage Administration stated, “It was specifically revealed that Mrs. Kim interfered with legitimate management activities by sitting on the royal throne inside Geunjeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace.”

The first trial of Mrs. Kim Gunhee, who was detained and indicted on charges of stock price manipulation related to Deutsch Motors and allegations of receiving money from the Unification Church, was held on the afternoon of the 24th. Mrs. Kim is entering the courtroom. September 25, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps

The National Heritage Administration determined that Mrs. Kim’s actions constituted illegal private use and personal gain from state-managed assets and services by leveraging the authority of the presidential office. Accordingly, the agency filed a complaint citing charges of obstruction of official duties under the Criminal Act, obstruction of official duties by fraudulent means, violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, and interference with management activities under the Cultural Heritage Protection Act.

The agency also took strong disciplinary action against internal personnel who failed to prevent Mrs. Kim’s requests. The head of the Palaces and Tombs Heritage Headquarters was suspended from duty for allowing the private tea gathering to proceed without informing staff of its purpose and excluding responsible employees from the event. In addition, the National Heritage Administration requested severe disciplinary measures from the Ministry of Personnel Management, citing violations of the prohibition on performing duties in response to improper solicitations under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act.

In response to this incident, the National Heritage Administration announced plans to promptly establish separate management regulations for government decorative items, such as replica crafts used in palaces. Commissioner Heo Min stated, “National heritage must never again be privately misused or have its value undermined by any particular authority,” emphasizing, “We will fundamentally review related systems and strictly overhaul management practices to prevent any recurrence of such cases.”