When she visited Gyeongbokgung in 2023, Kim Keon-hee sat on the royal throne in Geunjeongjeon, National Treasure No. 223, which was used by the king, it has been revealed. The Democratic Party of Korea is defining Kim's action as damage to a national treasure and raising criticism, saying, "Did she dream of being a king?"
On the 22nd, during the National Assembly Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee audit, Democratic Party lawmaker Yang Moon-seok made public photos from Kim's 2023 visit to Gyeongbokgung and asked, "Why did Kim Keon-hee go to Gyeonghoeru? Why did a private citizen sit on the royal throne in Geunjeongjeon?"
He continued, "Who told her to sit? A mere woman. Did former Administrator Choi encourage her to sit, or did Kim Keon-hee go and sit on her own? In minutes, was it 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 4 minutes, 5 minutes? What did they talk about while sitting?"
Jung Yong-seok, president of the National Museum Foundation of Korea (NMF), who accompanied the Gyeongbokgung visit at the time, said, "I don't remember exactly. I suppose she went and sat down herself," adding, "We were constantly on the move, so even if she sat, it would have been about 1–2 minutes."
Democratic Party lawmaker Cho Kye-won asked Jung, "Is the throne a personal sofa? Did Kim Keon-hee climb up on her own wearing mismatched slippers?" and added, "She must have dreamed of being a king." Kim Kyo-heung, the Democratic Party lawmaker who chairs the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee, also warned, "If you don't answer properly, the floor leaders and commissioners may agree to refer you for perjury."
Earlier, on the 20th, the YouTube channel "Joo Reporter Live Up to Your Name" released a photo of Kim with former National Education Commission chair Lee Bae-yong wearing slippers inside a building within Gyeongbokgung.