South Korea's national assembly on Tuesday passed a bill for the appointment of a special counsel who will investigate President Yoon Suk-yeol's short-lived declaration of emergency martial law last week.

The special counsel will probe into the case independently from police and public prosecutors.

The investigation will target Yoon, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and other officials.

A committee in the assembly will name special counsel candidates and the president will choose who will be appointed.

Yonhap News says Yoon cannot exercise his presidential right to veto this special counsel bill but he can delay the appointment.