Former First Lady Kim Keon Hee has once again sparked controversy for her conduct at Gyeongbokgung Palace, after it was revealed she not only toured restricted areas during a palace closure but also sat on the “yongsang” the royal throne located inside Geunjeongjeon, the palace’s main hall.
The incident occurred on September 12, 2023, a designated closure day for the historic site. Photos from the day show Kim, dressed in a sleeveless dress, alongside then-National Education Commission Chair Lee Bae Yong, inside the second floor of Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, an area typically off-limits to the public.
Further investigation during a National Assembly audit uncovered that Kim’s group also entered Geunjeongjeon and that she had sat on the royal throne, a cultural relic symbolizing sovereign authority, prompting severe backlash.
During the audit, lawmaker Yang Moon Seok questioned: “Why did Kim Keon Hee sit on the throne? That seat is sacred not for just anyone, let alone the First Lady.”
Jung Yong Seok, current head of the National Museum Foundation of Korea and a former cultural affairs aide at the Presidential Office who accompanied Kim on the visit, struggled to answer clearly. Only after persistent questioning did he admit, “She may have briefly sat there during the tour. Perhaps for one to two minutes.”
The reaction from lawmakers was intense. Kim Kyo Heung, chair of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, stated, “No South Korean citizen has ever sat on that throne. And you’re laughing while explaining this?”
Lawmakers accused Kim of treating a national cultural heritage site as a prop for personal display, with Cho Gye Won remarking, “The throne is not your personal sofa. It is a state asset, not decor.”
It was also revealed through written inquiry that Lee Bae Yong had allegedly encouraged Kim to sit on the throne. Lee is already under investigation for reportedly gifting Kim a golden turtle artifact, further deepening the controversy.
The Culture Committee has summoned Lee Bae Yong and Choi Eung Cheon, former head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, to testify during a comprehensive hearing scheduled for October 29.
Public sentiment continues to boil as many view the incident not only as a breach of protocol but as a disrespectful act toward Korea’s royal legacy and national identity.
Sources: nate
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