‘Dreaming of being a queen’: South Korean ex-first lady’s throne gaffe mocked
‘Dreaming of being a queen’: South Korean ex-first lady’s throne gaffe mocked
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‘Dreaming of being a queen’: South Korean ex-first lady’s throne gaffe mocked

Park Chan-kyong 🕒︎ 2025-10-23

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‘Dreaming of being a queen’: South Korean ex-first lady’s throne gaffe mocked

South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon-hee has again made headlines after revelations that she sat on a royal throne during a private palace visit – triggering ridicule that she must have fancied herself a queen, given her oversized influence over her husband. Kim reportedly sat on the throne during a private tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main royal compound of the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), while accompanied by government officials in 2023. Professor Lee Jun-han of Incheon National University said the incident revealed how she behaved as “the power behind the throne”. “By sitting on the king’s seat, she showed no hesitation, revealing her perception that she was the real power holder – more powerful than her husband, the president,” Lee told This Week in Asia, referring to disgraced leader Yoon Suk-yeol, who is facing insurrection charges after a failed martial law bid. “She privatised power, blurred the line between public and private affairs, and committed acts of impertinence that go beyond the imagination of ordinary citizens,” he added. Choi Jin, head of think tank the Institute for Presidential Leadership, recalled that Kim was often seen walking ahead of her husband at official events, even urging a visibly uncomfortable Yoon to engage with foreign leaders at the 2022 G20 summit in Bali. “Her public demeanour and attitude towards her husband intensified widespread allegations that she acted as a wirepuller behind Yoon,” Choi said. The 53-year-old Kim has long been embroiled in controversies over alleged corruption and interference in state affairs – including influencing government appointments and exploiting her proximity to her now-impeached husband, 64. Kim’s Gyeongbokgung Palace visit took place on a Tuesday in September 2023, when the venue was closed to the public. At a National Assembly hearing this week, one of the accompanying officials testified that she climbed the steps beside the podium and sat on the throne, aided by her security detail. The throne, lacquered in red and gilded with gold, sits higher than the court officials’ seats to symbolise absolute royal authority. “She walked up the steps beside the podium, helped by her guards, and sat on the throne,” testified Chung Yong-seok, then a senior presidential aide. Lee Ki-heon of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, a member of the National Assembly’s culture, sports and tourism committee, remarked: “The side path she used is reserved for the king.” Asked about the incident, cultural heritage commissioner Yoo Hong-jun replied, “I think it’s something impertinent.” Another Democratic Party lawmaker scoffed: “She must have dreamed of becoming a queen.” Photographs presented at the hearing showed Kim inspecting the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, a stilted royal banquet hall within the palace grounds, standing with her hands on her hips. In a report submitted to the National Assembly, the Korea Heritage Service described the royal throne at Geunjeongjeon Hall as “a symbol of the king’s authority”. The king used to sit on the seat for royal audiences and receptions of foreign envoys. Asked if any former heads of state had entered Geunjeongjeon and sat on the throne, the agency stated: “There are no known cases of anyone sitting on the royal seat.” Earlier revelations also showed that Kim had privately toured Jongmyo Shrine – a Unesco World Heritage site off-limits to the public – for a “tea meeting” with friends in October 2023. She reportedly entered the royal spirit chambers housing the ancestral tablets of past kings and queens, sparking public outrage over her perceived disrespect for national heritage. The Democratic Party alleged that Kim had enjoyed special privileges on 11 occasions, holding tea gatherings and other private events at royal sites including Jongmyo Shrine, Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace. The party accused her of “using royal palaces like a queen”, calling for a full investigation into her alleged abuse of power and violations of cultural heritage protection laws, which carry penalties of up to two years in prison or fines of up to 20 million won (US$13,941). Last month, special prosecutors investigating Kim confirmed they had also opened a separate inquiry into her private visits to Jongmyo Shrine for tea gatherings with acquaintances. She is currently under arrest and faces 16 charges, including stock manipulation, bribery and influence peddling. Prosecutors say they have also secured jewellery and luxury gifts allegedly given to Kim by the Unification Church in exchange for government favours. These include a Graff pendant valued at more than 60 million won and several Chanel handbags. The items were reportedly handed over by Monk Gunjin, a shaman arrested for brokering favours between Kim and those seeking presidential influence.

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