The party was often called as Little Democrats (꼬마민주당) due to its minority status.

After UDP declared its combination with DJP and NDRP on 22 January 1990,[4] dissidents refused to join the newly formed Democratic Liberal Party.

[5] The dissidents, led by Lee Ki-taek, officially launched Democratic Party on 15 June.

[9] The party faced a huge defeat in 1991 local elections, when DLP won majority.

[11] 5 days later, both NDUP and DP was successfully combined and re-built as the new Democratic Party.