Court testimony has emerged suggesting that First Lady Kim Keon-hee acted as the de facto “ordering party” for renovations at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, exercising direct influence over design changes and specific luxury installations.
The revelations came during a trial at the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 24, where an employee of the interior design firm 21 Gram testified that the First Lady’s preferences drove significant modifications to the residence’s layout, leading to increased construction costs and a breach of standard government procurement protocols.
The trial centers on allegations of fraud and abuse of power involving Kim Oh-jin, a former vice minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the CEO of 21 Gram. Prosecutors allege that the firm was granted a preferential contract despite lacking the necessary general construction license required for such a project.
The ‘Tea Room’ and Direct Design Influence
A witness, identified as “Mr. A,” a former employee of 21 Gram, testified that the firm’s CEO had explicitly told staff that the project was “given by the First Lady” and must be completed successfully. This sentiment, the witness said, established a clear chain of command where the First Lady’s approval was the primary driver of the project’s direction.
Specifically, the witness detailed the installation of a tatami room on the second floor of the residence, which was surrounded by bulletproof windows. This space was designed to serve as a “tea room.” According to the testimony, this particular feature was not part of the original plan but was added following a direct request for a design change from Kim Keon-hee.
When questioned by the special prosecutor’s team regarding the increase in construction costs, Mr. A stated that design changes were made due to the fact that the “ordering party” was dissatisfied with the initial plans. He explicitly identified the First Lady as the person he believed to be the actual ordering party, noting that the CEO of 21 Gram sought her confirmation on all designs and layouts.
A Culture of Secrecy and Specialized Requests
The testimony painted a picture of a highly secretive construction process. Mr. A recalled that whenever the First Lady visited the site—estimated to have happened three or four times—construction workers were instructed to hide. He described a scene where Presidential Security Service officials would cover the windows to shield the visit from view, leaving only the CEO of 21 Gram to accompany the First Lady and explain the progress of the work.
The witness noted that these visits often resulted in further design modifications. While the “cat room” and dressing room were part of the initial scope of work, other luxury additions were added later. These included a hinoki (cypress) bathtub, which the witness testified was a specific request from President Yoon Suk-yeol, communicated to the firm via then-Presidential Security Service Chief Kim Yong-hyun.
| Installation | Attributed Request | Nature of Request |
|---|---|---|
| Bulletproof Tatami Room | First Lady Kim Keon-hee | Design change / “Tea Room” |
| Hinoki Bathtub | President Yoon Suk-yeol | Additional extension |
| Cat Room / Dressing Room | Original Plan | Initial scope of work |
Legal Implications and Financial Fraud
Beyond the aesthetic requests, the case involves serious allegations of financial misconduct and the bypassing of legal requirements. Under South Korean law, a firm must hold a general construction license to undertake a project of this scale. 21 Gram did not possess such a license, leading to charges of abuse of power against former Vice Minister Kim Oh-jin for facilitating the contract.
the special prosecutor has charged the former vice minister with fraud under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes. The prosecution alleges that Kim Oh-jin conspired with the CEO of 21 Gram to embezzle 1.6 billion KRW (approximately $1.2 million USD) from the government. This was allegedly achieved by using the names of other construction companies to create fake contracts, effectively reimbursing 21 Gram for additional costs incurred during the renovation process.
The case is now being scrutinized by the Supreme Court of Korea‘s jurisdictional framework as it moves through the district court, with the focus remaining on whether public officials used their authority to grant illegal favors to a private acquaintance of the First Lady.
Note: This report concerns ongoing legal proceedings. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The next scheduled court hearing will continue to examine the testimony of witnesses from the construction firm and the Presidential Security Service to determine the extent of the First Lady’s involvement in the procurement process.
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