The ruling Democratic Party is seeking to revise special counsel bills mandated to investigate the December 3 martial law and corruption allegations against former first lady Kim Keon-hee so that the statute of limitations for suspects who flee is suspended for the duration. 

Twelve Democratic Party lawmakers proposed the amendment on Thursday. 

Rep. Lee Sung-yoon said there has been concern that suspects may try to interfere with the investigation by fleeing or assisting accomplices or witnesses escape. 

Earlier, a close associate of the former first lady, Kim Ye-seong, had spent months in Vietnam, spurning summons by the special prosecution before being detained at the airport upon his return Tuesday.