Constitution Day in South Korea
South Korea’s Constitution Day falls on July 17, the anniversary of the first National Assembly’s promulgation of the Constitution in 1948. It commemorates the country’s constitutional system and is a statutory public holiday for government offices under the current holiday rules.[1][2][3]
Meaning and origin
The date marks a specific moment in the Republic of Korea’s founding: its first National Assembly promulgated the Constitution on July 17, 1948. The Constitution sets out the country’s system of government and rights and duties of citizens, and the day honors that constitutional framework.[1]
South Korea’s National Holidays Act lists Constitution Day, or July 17, as one of the country’s national holidays. The public holiday decree includes national holidays among the statutory holidays observed by government offices, giving the commemoration a formal legal status as well as historical meaning.[2][3]
How the day is observed
Constitution Day is a civic commemoration rather than a holiday centred on a religious observance or a specific traditional meal. A Korea.net report on a past anniversary described events across the country honouring Korea’s constitutional system and a major ceremony at the National Assembly in Seoul.[6]
For visitors, the National Assembly is a notable setting in the day’s history: it was the body that promulgated the Constitution. The scale and programme of commemorations can vary; check official announcements for any events planned locally.[1][6]
Public holiday and time off
Government offices observe Constitution Day as a statutory holiday. The Labor Standards Act requires employers covered by its holiday provisions to provide statutory public holidays as paid days off; a different workday may be substituted through a written agreement with the workers’ representative. This means the legal entitlement concerns paid leave, while whether an individual employee works on the date can depend on an agreed substitution.[3][5]
The holiday decree provides for a substitute holiday when Constitution Day coincides with a Saturday, Sunday or another public holiday: the substitute is the first following day that is not itself a public holiday. There is no separate substitute date every year; it depends on the calendar and the statutory overlap rule.[4]
What travelers can expect
Government offices close for the statutory holiday. The holiday rules do not require every privately operated shop, restaurant or attraction to close, so opening hours can differ by business. Check directly with places you plan to visit, and confirm bank hours and transport schedules for the date.[3][5]
Visitors interested in attending a commemoration should check announcements from the relevant local authority or institution.[6]
Frequently asked questions
When is Constitution Day in South Korea?
Is Constitution Day a public holiday and a day off work?
Is there a substitute day if July 17 falls on a weekend?
The holiday decree provides a substitute on the first following non-holiday when Constitution Day overlaps with Saturday, Sunday or another public holiday.[4]
Are shops, banks and public transport closed?
Government offices close on the holiday, but private businesses set their own opening hours. Check opening hours with government offices and banks before you go. Shops set their own opening hours, and transport operators set their own schedules, so check with them before travelling.[3]
Sources and references
Sources used for Constitution Day in South Korea:
- Korea marks 70th anniversary of Constitution- Korea.net, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
- 국경일에 관한 법률- National Law Information Center, Ministry of Government Legislation
- 관공서의 공휴일에 관한 규정, 제2조(공휴일)- National Law Information Center, Ministry of Government Legislation
- 관공서의 공휴일에 관한 규정: 제정·개정문- National Law Information Center, Ministry of Government Legislation
- 근로기준법, 제55조(휴일)- National Law Information Center, Ministry of Government Legislation
- Korea marks 70th anniversary of Constitution- Korea.net, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism