The special investigative team on a corruption and influence-peddling scandal surrounding President Park Geun-hye said Thursday that it had barred those linked to the scandal from leaving the country. Park’s former chief of staff Kim Ki-choon is reported to be among those barred.

Lee Kyu-chul, spokesperson of the team led by independent counsel Park Young-soo, confirmed that “several people whose presence are needed for the investigation” of the Choi Soon-sil scandal have been banned from leaving the country.

The official declined to give names, but multiple local media reported that Kim, the president’s former right-hand man, and Kim Young-jae and Kim Sang-man, doctors who admitted to have treated the president.

The independent counsel has yet to officially kick off an investigation.

The counsel is currently preparing for it, studying the charges laid against the president, her longtime friend Choi and their associates by the two-month investigation by the prosecution. The accused are suspected of coercing local conglomerates to raise money for the nonprofit Mir and K-Sports foundations and embezzling the funds, pressuring local companies and government officials to grant favors for those in their inner circles.

Kim Ki-choon, considered to have been one of Park’s most trusted aides, is suspected of knowingly condoning or possibly protecting Choi’s wrongdoings. Kim had claimed to have not been in acquaintance with Choi, but later admitted to knowing who she was.

Kim and Woo Byung-woo, former senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, are being investigated for possibly abusing authority to look after Choi and her associates, including her daughter Chung Yoo-ra.

Prosecutors have already barred Woo from leaving the country. Woo made headlines recently after refusing to attend a parliamentary hearing on the scandal and going off the grid.

He agreed to attend next week’s hearing.

Kim Young-jae is suspected of using his relationship with Choi to receive benefits from the government, although he claimed that Choi was just a regular patient at his hospital. He also claimed that neither he nor his wife has acquainted with former presidential secretary Jeong Ho-seong, believed to be one of three key aides who had control over access to the president.

But it was revealed Thursday that the prosecution has multiple recordings of phone conversation between Jeong and Kim’s wife.

Park Young-soo’s team also reportedly barred officials from the companies who raised money for the two nonprofit foundations. The independent counsel is expected to investigate allegations that the money for the two foundations -- along with other donations related to Choi family -- are essentially bribes that can be linked all the way to the president herself.

Park is currently subject to an impeachment trial of the Constitutional Court, and observers believe that confirming bribery charges against her can be a nail in the coffin for the embattled president. During the impeachment trial of former President Roh Moo-hyun in 2004, the court mentioned bribery and embezzlement of public funds as acts that can validate a president’s impeachment.

In a bid to ensure thorough investigation on the president, Spokesman Lee said that even Cheong Wa Dae could be raided.

“We are planning to take any measures necessary for the investigation... Whether it be Cheong Wa Dae or wherever, if it’s (raid) is needed for the investigation, we will seek ways,” he said.

Prosecutors had attempted to raid the presidential office multiple times but Cheong Wa Dae refused to let them enter, citing a law that bans forcible raids on sites related to military secrecy. The presidential office instead submitted documents that they said were relevant to the case.

Lee added that raids on local conglomerates related to the scandal are also not out of question.

The independent counsel is expect to commence formal investigation around Tuesday.

By Yoon Min-sik (minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)