On January 29, 2026, welcome news reached the Republic of Korea. The amendment to the 「Act on Public Holidays」, which designates July 17th, Constitution Day, as a public holiday again after 18 years, passed the plenary session of the National Assembly. This signifies that Constitution Day, which had remained the only non-working day among the five major national holidays since its exclusion in 2008, has found its rightful place. This re-designation, offering a crucial opportunity to reflect on the noble spirit of constitutional enactment and the values of democracy, is being widely welcomed by the public. In this article, we will delve into the historical background of Constitution Day, its meaning, and the process from its designation and removal as a public holiday to its reinstatement.
Constitution Day commemorates the promulgation of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea on July 17, 1948. This was the culmination of the Constituent Assembly, formed through the general election on May 10, 1948, undertaking the most critical task of establishing a new nation: enacting the constitution. Drafted by constitutional scholars including Dr. Yu Chin-oh, it was finalized after several deliberations in the plenary sessions of the National Assembly. The promulgation date of July 17th is said to have been chosen to coincide with the founding day of the Joseon Dynasty, suggesting consideration of historical continuity. In the following year, 1949, the 「Act on National Holidays」 was promulgated, designating Constitution Day as a national holiday, and it was implemented as a public holiday from 1950. This was a significant event that announced to the world and domestically that the Republic of Korea was embracing the ideology of a democratic republic and commencing governance under the constitution.
Constitution Day transcends merely commemorating the day the constitution was established; it holds historical significance as the day the Republic of Korea declared itself a liberal democratic nation and established popular sovereignty. As the fundamental law of the state, the constitution guarantees the basic rights of citizens and lays the foundation for the state's governing structure. The preamble of the Constitution explicitly states, “We, the people of Korea, inheriting the glorious history and traditions of our people and responding to the call of the new era, have set out to build a democratic republic...” thereby clearly inheriting the legal heritage of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. Thus, Constitution Day serves as an important day to remind us that the people are the masters of the nation and to reflect on the values of democracy and the rule of law. The annual hoisting of the Taegeukgi in households on July 17th is also to honor this spirit of the constitution.
From 1950, Constitution Day was designated as a public holiday, serving as a day for national rest and commemoration of constitutional values. However, with the spread of the five-day work week (40-hour work week) in 2005, the business community expressed concerns about potential decreases in productivity and increased labor costs due to reduced working hours, leading to demands for fewer public holidays. Against this backdrop, the 「Regulation on Public Holidays for Government Offices」 was amended on June 30, 2005. Consequently, Arbor Day was excluded from public holidays starting in 2006, and Constitution Day in 2008. Thereafter, Constitution Day remained the only national holiday that was not a public holiday.
However, criticism regarding the exclusion of Constitution Day, a symbol of the rule of law and democracy, from public holidays persisted, and discussions about its re-designation continued. Notably, at the Constitution Day commemorative ceremony in 2025, Mr. Chung Dae-chul, President of the Korean Constitutional Association, and Mr. Woo Won-shik, a member of the National Assembly, urged the re-designation of Constitution Day as a public holiday. President Lee Jae-myung also expressed his intention to review the possibility of re-designation as a way to reflect on the spirit of the constitution and popular sovereignty. These societal consensus and political discussions culminated in the passage of the bill to re-designate Constitution Day as a public holiday by the National Assembly on January 29, 2026. This bill is scheduled to take effect three months after its promulgation, meaning Constitution Day will become a 'red day' again starting July 17th of this year.
The re-designation of Constitution Day as a public holiday carries a profound significance beyond a mere increase in holidays. It provides an opportunity for all citizens to once again reflect on the values of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea and the importance of democracy. Through the re-designation as a public holiday, it is expected to enhance public awareness of the spirit of the constitution and contribute to the spread of a culture that experiences and respects the rule of law in daily life. Furthermore, by restoring the status of Constitution Day, which was the only one of the five major national holidays not to be a public holiday, it will serve as an occasion to fully revive the meaning of national holidays. This re-designation will serve as an important role in reminding us once again of the importance of upholding the constitution and transmitting the precious values of democracy to future generations.
The re-designation of Constitution Day as a public holiday is a meaningful decision that reaffirms the historical importance and modern value of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea. The constitution is the bedrock of our society and the supreme norm that guarantees the freedom and rights of our citizens. Moving forward, every year on July 17th, through Constitution Day, we must reflect on the ideals of democracy and the rule of law that the constitution pursues and participate in building a better Republic of Korea. We hope that the spirit of the constitution will take deep root in our lives, fostering a more mature civic consciousness.
A1: The bill passed by the National Assembly on January 29, 2026, will take effect three months after its promulgation. Therefore, Constitution Day will become a public holiday again starting July 17th of this year.
A2: Due to concerns raised by businesses about potential decreases in productivity and increased labor costs following the spread of the five-day work week in 2005, it was excluded from public holidays starting in 2008.
A3: Yes, as Constitution Day is a national holiday, it is recommended to fly the Taegeukgi, just like on other national holidays, to honor its significance.
A4: Constitution Day commemorates the promulgation of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea on July 17, 1948. It holds historical significance as the day the Republic of Korea adopted the ideology of a democratic republic and established popular sovereignty.
0