United Democratic Party (South Korea, 1995)

Former political party in South Korea

United Democratic Party

통합민주당

The party used the same logo with its predecessor, Democratic Party, without adding the word "통합 (United)".

Abbreviation| UDP
Founded| 21 December 1995
Dissolved| 21 November 1997
Merger of| Democratic Party
New Party for Reform
Merged into| Grand National Party (majority)
National Congress for New Politics (minority)
Ideology| Liberal conservatism
Social conservatism
Political position| Centre-right
Colours|  Red
Green
Blue (customary)
National Assembly
(1996 election results)|

15 / 299

* Politics of South Korea
* Political parties
* Elections

The United Democratic Party (Korean: 통합민주당) was a political party of South Korea from 1995 to 1997.

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Party leadership
* 2.1 Chairmen
* 3 Election results
* 3.1 General election
* 4 References

## History[edit]

The party was formed by the merger of Democratic Party and New Party for Reform. Originally, Democratic Party won the local elections in 1995.[1] However, shortly after, Kim Dae-jung (DJ), former Co-President of the party, officially returned to politics, and conflicts were sparked.[2] The party's pro-DJ factions, not excluding DJ himself, left and founded a new party, named National Congress for New Politics (NCNP).[3] The remained Democratic Party merged itself with a minor party named New Party for Reform, and newly formed United Democratic Party on 21 December.

The party faced a huge defeat in 1996 election, due to the oppositions votes splits under the FPTP systems with few PRs.[4] On 4 June 1996, shortly after the election defeat, the party held a leadership election, and elected Lee Ki-taek, former President of the Democratic Party, as its Chairman, and also removed "united" from its name.[5] The party was kept declining due to some MPs joining the ruling New Korea Party (NKP).

In the leadership election on 11 September 1997, Cho Soon was elected as the new Chairman, and also the presidential candidate for upcoming presidential election.[6] Shortly before the leadership election, Cho was the 3rd-most preferred President, according to an opinion polls.[7] However, his popularity kept declining till 4.7%, made him almost unable to manage his campaign.[8] After 2 main opposition parties ― National Congress for New Politics (NCNP), and Alliance of Liberal Democrats (ALDE) had agreed to put a sole candidate named Kim Dae-jung of NCNP, the ruling NKP's Lee Hoi-chang was struggling with his low popularity. Both NKP and Democratic Party agreed to merge each other and put Lee as their sole candidate.[9] Both were combined and re-founded as Grand National Party,[10] but dissidents including Roh Moo-hyun disagreed with it and joined to NCNP.

## Party leadership[edit]

### Chairmen[edit]

No. | President(s) | Period

|
|

1 | Park Il
Chang Eul-byung | 21 December 1995 – 3 June 1996
2 | Lee Ki-taek | 4 June 1996 – 10 September 1997
3 | Cho Soon | 11 September 1997 – 20 November 1997

## Election results[edit]

### General election[edit]

Election  | National Assembly | Government  | Size  | Chairmen

|
|
|
|

Votes  | %  | Seats won
1996 | 2,207,695  | 11.2%  |

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| Opposition  | 4th | Park Il
Chang Eul-byung

## References[edit]

1. ^ "부산 文正秀 경남 金爀珪씨 당선". 28 June 1995. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
2. ^ "민주, 새한국당—재야 통합 전당대회". 18 July 1995. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
3. ^ "새정치국민회의 창당…제1야당 출범 김대통령에 회담 제의". 6 September 1995. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
4. ^ "15대 총선에서 야당 패배의 원인 분석[전영배]". 12 April 1996. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
5. ^ "민주당, 임시 전당대회서 이기택 상임 고문 새 총재로 선출[오정환]". 4 June 1996. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
6. ^ "민주당 대통령 후보 조순 추대, 경제 대통령론 강조[김세용]". 11 September 1997. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
7. ^ "이인제지사 출마땐 1위 DJ·조순·이회창·JP순". 31 August 1997. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
8. ^ "97대선 여론조사 이회창 지지율 급락". 27 October 1997. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
9. ^ "97대선 여론조사 이회창(＋조순) 큰폭 상승". 11 November 1997. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
10. ^ "[선택 97] 3김 청산 내건 한나라당 공식 출범[김석진]". 21 November 1997. Retrieved 10 September 2019.