First lady Kim Keon Hee speaks to an official Laotian personnel after arriving at Wattay International Airport in Laos, Oct. 9. Yonhap

First lady Kim Keon Hee will not accompany President Yoon Suk Yeol on his overseas trip later this month, a senior presidential official said Friday, in line with a promise Yoon made to honor the people's wishes amid suspicions of corruption and influence peddling involving the first lady.

The decision came a day after Yoon held a press conference and apologized for causing concerns to the people while vowing to revamp state affairs.

The presidential office said an office overseeing the first lady's affairs has been set up for the first time under the Yoon administration.

Whether or not Kim will attend any trips in the future will be determined after consultations with the president and his aides, according to the office.

The first lady is expected to attend only those events considered essential by diplomatic protocol, including those involving her counterpart, and will also likely refrain from any domestic public activities until the end of the year.

Kim has faced criticism over a string of allegations, including her acceptance of a luxury handbag, her alleged involvement in a stock manipulation scheme and her alleged meddling in government affairs.

The first lady and Yoon are also accused of meddling in the ruling People Power Party's nomination of a candidate for the parliamentary by-elections in 2022, which emerged through the disclosure of a recorded phone call between Yoon and a suspected power broker named Myung Tae-kyun.

During Thursday's press conference, Yoon said Kim would refrain from public activities unless deemed necessary for diplomacy and national interests.

The conference was held at a time when Yoon's approval ratings have dipped below the 20 percent mark for the first time since his inauguration in May 2022. (Yonhap)