The second consolidated special counsel, which is investigating cases the three major special counsels on rebellion, Kim Keon-hee, and the Marines did not conclude, has imposed an overseas travel ban on former Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok and former Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office chief Song Kyung-ho (former Busan High Prosecutors' Office chief), it was confirmed on the 13th.
On May 2, 2024, former Prosecutor General Lee ordered the formation of a dedicated investigation team into suspicions that former President Yoon Suk-yeol's wife, Kim Keon-hee, accepted a luxury handbag. Former High Prosecutor Song was in charge of the case involving Kim at the time.
Former Prosecutor General Lee stepped down in September 2024, before the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office cleared Kim of charges. Former High Prosecutor Song was transferred to the Busan High Prosecutors' Office in May of the same year while the investigation was underway. Song was known as part of the "Yoon Suk-yeol faction," but during the probe took the position that Kim should be questioned face to face, leading to interpretations that the personnel move was a demotion.
In December last year, former Prosecutor General Lee was summoned by the Kim Keon-hee special counsel team as a reference witness but did not comply, citing family caregiving.
The second special counsel is expected to investigate whether former Prosecutor General Lee and former High Prosecutor Song faced external pressure, including from the presidential office, to quash the investigation.