What do you mean by first panel? There's only one to my knowledge, and after that all that should be between you and the doors interior is a plastic insulation cover which just gets pulled off i think. haven't taken one off on Kia yet, but the one on my saturn was just glued.
Once that's off, you should be looking at the power window track and motor in front and behind that (probably a bit to the rear of the car) the lock assembly, which has four bent rods comming from that and it sounds to be that, along with a few springs that is giving you problems.
But are you saying the door doesn't open at all? If that's the case, there's gonna be at least one screw you cant get near. Two on the side by the hinge, one behind where the door closes (near the latch) and then the ones holding the pull handle and inside door handle also connect to the door frame in one way or another.
My only suggestion if you cant' get the door open would be to remove the inside door handle, poke through the plastic and see if you can somehow get ahold of the rod to triger the door to open. Two rods come out there, one for the lock, the other for the latch, you may have to unlock it first.
hope that helps. Let me know what happens, as my own handle is loose (as a few geese) and I'll be doing this soon myself.
