In an unprecedented move, the Cabinet on Tuesday passed a petition calling for the disbandment of a left-leaning minor opposition party.

The petition to disband the Unified Progressive Party (UPP) comes two months after some of its members, including Rep. Lee Seok-ki, were arrested on charges of plotting to overthrow the government in the event of an inter-Korean war.

The members have also been accused of praising the North Korean communist regime in violation of South Korean law.

On Tuesday, the Cabinet passed the proposal put forward by the justice ministry, which will be filed with the Constitutional Court upon approval from President Park Geun-hye, who is on an official visit to Western Europe.

Under the South Korean Constitution, the government can ask the Constitutional Court to review the disbandment of a political party that violates the "democratic basic order."

With the court's approval, the National Election Commission will take steps to break up the party.

The UPP condemned the proposal's passage as "an act trampling on basic values of democracy."

"President Park Geun-hye is leading this direct breach and contempt of our Constitution," UPP spokesman Hong Sung-gyu said. (Yonhap News)