The independent counsel probing President Lee Myung-bak’s retirement home scandal sought more time Friday, asking the president to allow them an extension to investigate the first family.

“We plan to send the application to Cheong Wa Dae this afternoon for the extension of the investigation period,” assistant special counsel Lee Chang-hoon said during a press briefing. “Despite a month’s investigation, there are points that need to be made clear,” he said.

A high-ranking Cheong Wa Dae official was that it is a matter to be decided by the president himself.

“A decision is unlikely until he returns from an overseas trip,” he said.

Lee, currently visiting Thailand, is scheduled to return Sunday.

Led by special counsel Lee Kwang-bum, the 63-member team has been digging into a dubious land purchase by the first family and the Presidential Security Service last year where the president planned to build a retirement home.

They have questioned Lee Si-hyung, the president’s only son, who was the purchaser on the side of the first family; Lee Sang-eun, the president’s older brother who loaned half of the money to buy the land to Si-hyung and are currently asking to question Kim Yoon-ok, the first lady.

By law, an independent counsel must conclude its probe within 30 days, or ask for the president’s permission to extend the deadline by 15 days. The deadline for Lee’s team is Nov. 14.

On Friday, Lee Sang-eun’s wife, who gave Lee Si-hyung bundles of cash worth 600 million won that his husband loaned to him, failed to appear at the team’s office for questioning.

Three officials of the presidential security office, however, complied with the summons and were grilled on suspicion that they may have tampered with evidence.

By Lee Sun-young  (milaya@heraldcorp.com)