People in the conservative right wing gathered photos of Kim at domestic and international public events to examine the number, brands, and prices of her apparel and accessories.

Their quantity and high price caused some to demand the Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae; the then-presidential office) reveal the payment sources.

The Seoul Administrative Court ruled that the presidential office must disclose the prices of clothing Kim wore at official events.

The Blue House, not complying with the ruling, insisted that the payment information was pertaining to national security would remain classified for at least 15 years.

[17][18][19][20][21][excessive citations] In 2025 prosecutors withdrew cases filed against Kim over an solo trip she made to visit the Taj Mahal that was reported to have cost 400 million won ($276,336) in state funds while she was first lady in 2018 and for keeping a loaned Chanel jacket that was used during a state visit in France that same year, citing lack of evidence.