Constitution Day (South Korea)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Street along a road in Seoul during Constitution Day. Flags are hung up along street lights during this day but actual celebrations throughout the country are few.

Constitution Day (제헌절) in South Korea is held on July 17, the day that the Korean Constitution was proclaimed in 1948. July 17 was decided on as the Korean constitution day on October 1, 1948 when the law on public holidays of the country (국경일에 관한 법률) was put into force. This was three years after the defeat of Japan in World War II and after the first democratic elections and selection of members for the National Assembly. Soon after, the First Republic of South Korea was formally established on August 18.

Beginning in 2008, Constitution Day in South Korea will no longer be a day off for workers though still a day of commemoration; Arbor Day (식목일) in South Korea has also been removed as a day off along with the restructuring of the public sector with a 40-hour work week.

There are no special activities that citizens are required to attend on Constitution Day, but activities such as marathons are often held.