During President Yoon Suk Yeol's trip to Central Asia, South Korean first lady Kim Keon Hee has taken on a more prominent role in diplomatic engagements, despite facing political pressure over an alleged antigraft rule violation. As the presidential couple visited Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, Kim participated in various cultural exchanges and meetings with key figures. She met with Ogulgerek Berdymukhamedova, the wife of Turkmen People's Council Chair Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, to discuss traditional Turkmen handwoven goods and was invited to a social lunch by Berdymukhamedov, during which he expressed a desire to gift her a Turkmen shepherd dog as a symbol of friendship. Additionally, Kim also met with President Serdar Berdymukhamedov and his rarely seen wife during a state banquet. However, back in South Korea, Kim faces ongoing political attacks related to her acceptance of a luxury Dior bag, which was captured on hidden camera and is being investigated as a potential antigraft rule violation. The state-run Anticorruption and Civil Rights Commission recently decided not to pursue the case, citing technicalities in the rule and dismissing allegations of favoritism or improper handling of the gift. This decision has sparked criticism from left-wing politicians, who are pushing for a special probe into the first lady's actions, despite previous attempts being vetoed by the president. The controversy has drawn comparisons to other cases of alleged antigraft rule violations, further fueling the political debate surrounding Kim's conduct.