The Comprehensive Special Investigation Team, led by special prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, has confirmed that former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Won Hee-ryong, has been prohibited from leaving the country as part of an inquiry into allegations of preferential treatment concerning the Yangpyeong Expressway. This investigation was announced on the 17th, following a formal request for travel restrictions placed upon Won by the special investigation team, which was subsequently approved by the Ministry of Justice.

The controversy centers around a change in the termination point of the Yangpyeong Expressway, which was modified to enhance the property value of land owned by the family of Kim Kun-hee, the wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol. Previously, the endpoint was moved from Yangseo-myeon to Gangsan-myeon, triggering accusations of favoritism. Facing the backlash, Won made the decision to scrap the construction plans for the expressway in July 2023.

The previous special prosecutor's team, which was tasked with investigating allegations linked to Kim Kun-hee, reported that former lower-ranking officials in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport received directives from members of the Presidential Transition Committee to alter the endpoint of the Yangpyeong Expressway without proper assessments. However, they did not conclusively determine whether former Minister Won was involved in any wrongdoing, leading to ongoing speculation about higher-level interference in the project’s decision-making processes.