First lady returns to diplomatic spotlight amid mounting domestic pressure – The Korea Herald

ASTANA, Kazakhstan — First lady Kim Keon Hee has embraced the diplomatic spotlight during President Yoon Suk Yeol’s Central Asian trip, amid political pressure to investigate her alleged antigraft rule violation. As Yoon and Kim are halfway through his journey for state visits to three countries — Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan — Kim has expanded her role as the first lady in a series of engagements highlighting cultural exchanges. According to Yoon’s spokesperson Kim Soo-kyung on Tuesday, first lady Kim met Ogulgerek Berdymukhamedova, wife of Turkmen People’s Council Chair and “national leader” Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, to discuss the artistic value of traditional Turkmen handwoven goods, such as carpets, embroideries and ornaments. Donning a traditional Turkmen outfit during the meeting, Kim was invited to the social lunch hosted by Berdymukhamedov, father of Turkmenistan’s current president. On the way to lunch, Berdymukhamedov expressed his willingness to gift a Turkmen shepherd dog, locally known as “alabay,” to Kim to mark their friendship. Turkmenistan has restricted the export of its alabay breed since 2022. According to the spokesperson, Berdymukhamedov said he was impressed by Yoon and Kim’s love of animals and wanted to cement a constructive bilateral relationship. Yoon and Kim have six dogs and five cats at their official residence in Seoul.