Attention on Bill to Reinstate Constitution Day as Public Holiday and Apply Substitute Holidays

Excluded as a Public Holiday in 2008 Due to Concerns Over Corporate Burden
Proposed by Representative Kang Dae-sik... "An Opportunity to Reflect on Democracy"

With a bill proposing to reinstate Constitution Day (July 17), which commemorates the enactment of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, as a public holiday having been introduced in the National Assembly, attention is focusing on whether the designation will be restored.

Kang Dae-sik, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, submitted the "Partial Amendment to the Act on Public Holidays" as the main sponsor on July 9. The amendment includes provisions to restore Constitution Day as a public holiday, as well as to apply substitute holidays when other public holidays coincide with weekends.

Constitution Day marks July 17, 1948, when the Constitution of the Republic of Korea was promulgated. Under the "Act on National Holidays" established in 1949, it was designated as an official national holiday and public holiday, along with Liberation Day, National Foundation Day, and March 1st Movement Day. Accordingly, the national flag was displayed and commemorative ceremonies for Constitution Day were held.

However, despite being one of the five major national holidays along with Liberation Day, National Foundation Day, March 1st Movement Day, and Hangeul Day, Constitution Day was excluded from the list of public holidays in 2008, citing the spread of the five-day workweek and concerns about decreased corporate productivity.

The government sought to adjust certain public holidays, explaining that the increase in annual holidays due to the spread of the five-day workweek, as well as concerns about increased corporate burdens and decreased productivity, were the reasons for the change. At the time, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety stated, "While the significance of national holidays will be maintained, reducing the actual number of holidays will help lower social costs."

Representative Kang emphasized, "Constitution Day marks the foundation of the liberal democratic constitutional order and is a meaningful day for the people to reflect on the values and significance of the Constitution." He added, "By reinstating it as a public holiday, it will provide an opportunity for the public to naturally reflect on and experience democracy."

In fact, Hangeul Day was also once removed from the list of public holidays but was reinstated in 2013 to reflect its cultural symbolism and public opinion. Attention is now focused on whether Constitution Day will follow this precedent if the current amendment is passed.