With Constitution Day (July 17) just two days away, discussions on reinstating it as a public holiday are gaining momentum. There are suggestions that re-designation is necessary to restore its status, as it is the only national holiday not designated as a public holiday.

According to the report "The Necessity and Key Issues of Reinstating Constitution Day as a Public Holiday" published by the National Assembly Research Service on July 15, Constitution Day was excluded from public holidays starting in 2008 due to concerns about "productivity decline" following the introduction of the five-day workweek system in 2004. At the time, some argued that because Constitution Day falls during the summer vacation period, it is a day when many people are already off work, and that its fundamental purpose overlaps with that of Liberation Day, as both commemorate the founding ideology and legitimacy of the Republic of Korea.

Constitution Day was excluded from public holidays starting in 2008 due to concerns about "productivity decline" following the introduction of the five-day workweek system in 2004.

The issue is that Constitution Day is the only one among the five national holidays that is not designated as a public holiday. Memorial Day and Children's Day, which are commemorative days ranked lower than national holidays, are designated as public holidays.

Public support for reinstating Constitution Day as a public holiday is also high. According to a survey conducted by Elimnet Now&Survey of 500 adults, 88.2% responded that they support the re-designation of Constitution Day as a public holiday.

The issue is that Constitution Day is the only one among the five national holidays that is not designated as a public holiday. Memorial Day and Children's Day, which are commemorative days ranked lower than national holidays, are designated as public holidays. For this reason, there are opinions that Constitution Day should also regain its status as a national holiday.

The fact that public interest in the Constitution has increased, such as during the Constitutional Court's upholding of the president's impeachment, is also being considered. Public support for reinstating Constitution Day as a public holiday is high. According to a survey conducted by Elimnet Now&Survey of 500 adults in July last year, 88.2% responded that they support the re-designation of Constitution Day as a public holiday.

원본보기 아이콘

Reinstating Constitution Day as a public holiday requires a legal amendment. Since the 17th National Assembly, a total of 17 related bills have been proposed up to the 22nd National Assembly. The bills proposed in the 22nd National Assembly include provisions to designate Constitution Day as a public holiday and to apply substitute holidays as well.

The National Assembly Research Service stated, "The day on which the fundamental law of a rule-of-law state, which forms the basis of democracy, was enacted is highly symbolic in terms of the need to uphold the Constitution, and it is necessary to restore its status as a national holiday." The report also emphasized, "It is time for active discussions to fully gather public opinion on reinstating Constitution Day as a public holiday and to reach social consensus."