Amid public concerns that she was involved influence peddling, first lady Kim Keon-hee is not expected to accompany President Yoon Suk Yeol when he embarks on a trip to South America in mid-November.

According to a high-ranking official at the presidential office on Friday, the decision is a follow-up measure to Yoon’s press conference the previous day.

At the press event Thursday, the president said the first lady has suspended her public duties and will continue to stay out of the public eye unless Yoon and his aides decide her participation is necessary and in the national interest.

Meanwhile, Jang Sun-chil, secretary to the president for civil and social agenda, will head a new office to manage the first lady’s activities. 

Local media have reported that the president and the first lady are expected to change their personal mobile phone numbers, after Yoon said at the press conference that he still uses the same number he had when he was a prosecutor.