Special prosecutors investigating the now-scrapped project for President Lee Myung-bak’s retirement home Tuesday asked the Justice Ministry to ban about 10 people involved from leaving the nation, including Lee’s son Si-hyung and former presidential chief of staff Yim Tae-hee.

Lee Sang-eun, the eldest brother of the president, was not included on the list since he left the nation on Monday, raising suspicions of a tip-off.

Si-hyung allegedly borrowed money from Sang-eun, the majority shareholder of DAS, an auto parts company, for the purchase of the land and the auxiliary facilities.

Lee Gwang-beom, who leads the special investigative team, did not respond to whether Lee’s departure was discussed in advance.

Officials from the Blue House declined to answer about his whereabouts.

A man surnamed Yoo, who sold the land to Lee’s son, left the nation in May and first lady Kim Yoon-ok was not included on the exit ban list.

The prosecution’s special investigative team opened an office on Monday in Seocho-gu, southern Seoul, and officially launched the probe.

After issuing the ban for the 10 people, the prosecutors are said to have started deliberations on who to summon.

President Lee last month accepted a proposal issued by the opposition side and civic groups for a special probe into the scandal surrounding his retirement home.

Lee has been under fire for his involvement in the purchase of the land for the house and auxiliary facilities under his son’s name in Naegok-dong, southern Seoul.

The opposition parties accused Lee, his son and aides of violating the real name system in real estate and possible price-rigging in the purchases.

The opposition parties and civic groups filed a suit in May last year against former presidential security service chief Kim In-jong and Lee’s aides for misappropriating money out of the nation’s coffers.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)