S. Korea's parliament passes bill to investigate President Yoon's treason charge

SEOUL -- South Korea's parliament passed a bill Tuesday to appoint a standing special prosecutor and investigate President Yoon Suk-yeol's treason charge, TV footage showed Tuesday.

Among 287 National Assembly lawmakers attending the plenary session, 210 voted in favor and 63 against, with 14 abstentions.

The bill was submitted to the 300-member unicameral parliament last week to get to the bottom of Yoon's rebellion charge caused by his "unconstitutional" martial law declaration.

Subject to the independent counsel investigation will be the embattled president, prime minister, former floor leader of the ruling People Power Party, former defense minister and other military commanders.

Under the standing independent counsel bill that cannot be vetoed by the president, the opposition has the right to recommend a special prosecutor, but the president can delay the appointment of the prosecutor.

Yoon declared an emergency martial law on the night of Dec 3, but it was repealed by the National Assembly hours later.