Public attitude turning against the rule of Syngman Rhee and the Liberal Party led to increased tensions, and Chang survived an assassination attempt in 1957.

[2] In the 1958 parliamentary elections the DP received 34% of the vote, winning 79 seats and finishing second to the ruling Liberal Party.

[2] However, the internal tensions eventually resulted in the old faction breaking away to form a separate party.

However, after less than a year in power, the DP government was overthrown in the May 16 coup and the party ceased activities.

[2] In the 1963 parliamentary elections it won 13 seats, and the following year merged with the People's Party.