Former Black Pearl Invest CEO Lee Jong-ho admitted during special prosecution investigation that he contacted First Lady Kim Gun-hee to help secure clemency for former Marine Division Commander Lim Sung-geun. Lee claimed he contacted Kim at the request of Song Ho-jong, but was unable to reach her. However, the special prosecution team is investigating the possibility that Lee may have delivered a clemency lobbying message to Kim. This case is related to allegations that former Division Commander Lim received help from Kim to evade charges of occupational negligence resulting in death during the investigation into Marine Corporal Chae's death. The special prosecution team has also confirmed that Lee acknowledged his personal relationship with former Division Commander Lim and discovered that he requested acquaintances to claim they did not know Lim during the special prosecution investigation.