South Korea Former First Lady Sparks National Backlash Sitting on Royal Throne at Seoul Palace

Kim Keon Hee, the wife of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, has drawn significant public and political backlash after it was revealed she sat on the royal throne in Geunjeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace during a private visit in September 2023. The Korea Heritage Service confirmed that the presidential office had requested the private tour when the palace was closed to the public, and although the throne was a replica, sitting on it was unprecedented and considered disrespectful to a national cultural heritage symbolizing sovereign authority. Lawmakers and cultural officials condemned the act, highlighting that no previous president or first lady had ever sat on the throne, and criticized Kim for treating a sacred state asset as a personal prop. The controversy comes amid Kim's ongoing trial on corruption charges and follows other incidents where she entered restricted palace areas during closures. The incident has intensified scrutiny on her conduct and raised questions about respect for South Korea's cultural heritage during her husband's presidency. Prominent cultural figures and lawmakers expressed strong disapproval, underscoring the throne's significance as a symbol of the Joseon Kingdom's monarchy and national pride.