- Constitution Day (South Korea)
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Constitution Day
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.Official name Constitution Day Observed by South Koreans Type National Significance Marks the proclamation of the Korean Constitution Date July 17 Constitution Day (제헌절) in South Korea is on July 17, the day that the Korean Constitution was proclaimed in 1948. The date was deliberately chosen to match the founding date of July 17 of the Joseon Dynasty.[1]
Contents
Background
Although Korea was liberated from Japanese rule at the end of World War II on August 15, 1945, the peninsula was caught in the middle of the Cold War between Russia and the United States and it was only in 1948 when a democratic election for National Assembly members was held separately in South Korea. The elected assembly members set upon creating a constitution, and decided upon a presidential and unicameral system. The constitution was formally adopted and promulgated by President Syngman Rhee on July 17, 1948. [2][3]
Holiday
Constitution Day was proclaimed a national holiday on October 1, 1949, with the creation of the National Holiday Law. A commerative ceremony is held with the President, Chairman of the National Assembly, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the original constitutional assembly members in attendance, and citizens hang the national flag in commemoration. Special activities such as marathons are often held.[4]
Since 2008, Constitution Day in South Korea is no longer a "no work" public holiday, following the restructure of laws regarding the public sector with a 40-hour work week. It is still a national holiday for commemoration.[2]
See also
References
- ^ (Korean) Constitution Day (제헌절) at Encyclopedia of Korean Culture
- ^ a b (Korean) Constitution Day (제헌절) at Doosan Encyclopedia
- ^ (Korean) Constitution Day (제헌절 at Britannica Korea
- ^ (Korean) A million walking together, Nanum News, 2009-09-03. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
External links
Categories:- South Korean culture
- Holidays in South Korea
- July observances
- Constitution days
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