The Constitution Day (์ ํ์ ) is indeed one of the most significant festivities in South Korea. Not only because it is between some of the most important events in their history, but also because it is the only holiday of korean origin, at least during the โ5๋ ๊ตญ๊ฒฝ์ผโ.

As a country who struggled so much in the past due to the Japanese rule, having a constitution brings peace and relief to their people. Because despite not being directly related to that period, it still the result of their constant fights for freedom. Now, South Korea have their own rights, their own laws and most important, a way to feel protected.
With this in mind, we will introduce you to the history of this day. So you can understand in depth its importance.
History
Origin
In April 1948, a democratic election for the members of the National Assembly (๋ํ๋ฏผ๊ตญ ๊ตญํ) was held in South Korea. There, the elected members of the assembly were in fact the ones who created the constitution, based on the presidential and unicameral system.
As a consequence, on July 17, 1948 the first Constitution of the Republic of Korea was promulgated. Which became valid till 1949. And was formally adopted by the President Syngman Rhee (์ด์น๋ง).
It is worth to mention that after the end of World War II and the liberation of Japanโs dominance, Korea was divided in two by the occupation of the allied and Soviet forces.
A non-working holiday
From 1950 to 2007, the Constitution Day was an official holiday. But after the implementation of the 5-day labor system it stopped being one.
The reason is that there were so many holidays already. Which equals to reduced working hours. And consequently, a low productivity and increase of labor costs.

As matter of fact, it was the companies who noted that labor costs would likely increase due to the fact that in many workplaces it was a paid holiday. Although it was not legally required to be.
On the other hand, the workers were dissatisfied with the reduction of working hours. That is the reason to why in 2005 the government revised the regulations on public holidays. Thus implemented the 5-day labor system, which consists of working 40 hours during the week ใ ก Except of the weekend ใ ก.This led to the exclusion of both Arbor Day (์๋ชฉ์ผ) and Constitution Day from non-working holidays, during Lee Myung-bak (์ด๋ช ๋ฐ) reign in 2008.
A Memorial Day
Now, Constitution Day is a memorial day. Although for many Koreans it goes unnoticed. Since it is a day without rest.
On the contrary, it is significant because it is the only holiday day ใ ก Between 5๋ ๊ตญ๊ฒฝ์ผ ใ ก that is not directly linked to the time of the colonization of Japan. That way, being the only one holiday of Korean origin.
South Koreaโs Constitution (๋ํ๋ฏผ๊ตญ ํ๋ฒ)
The Constitution of the Republic of Korea consists of 130 articles, divided into 10 chapters:
- General Provisions
- Citizen Rights and Duties
- The National Assembly
- Executive Committee (In two sections with 4 sub-units)
- The Court
- The Constitutional Court
- Election Management
- Local Autonomy
- Economy
- Amendments to the Constitution
And you can read it here.
National Assembly of the Republic of Korea (๋ํ๋ฏผ๊ตญ ๊ตญํ)
The National Assembly is the 300-member unicameral national legislature. Which its members, are chosen every 4 years with the elections.

The single-member constituencies are made up of 253 Assembly seats, while the remaining 47 are assigned by proportional representation. Of which 30 compensate for the single-member constituencies.
Symbol of the Constitutional Court (ํ๋ฒ์ฌํ์์ ์์ง)

On October 14, 1988, the flag of the Constitutional Court was established. As well as its insignia (๊ธฐ์ ํ์ฅ) and the uniform that they have to wear. After the review of Judge Kim Yang-Gyun (๊น์๊ท ).
Subsequently, on December 5, 1988, the Constitutional Court promulgated and implemented the โRegulations for the Application of the Flag and Insignia of the Constitutional Courtโ as the first statutes of the latter. Creating and using an insignia that could symbolize them. The insignia uses the symbol of the nation, the Mugunghwa flower (๋ฌด๊ถํ). The reason is that they wanted to represent the freedom of the people and the basic rights that the constitutional court protects. Through the lights that emerge from the center ใ ก which is the yellow part of the logo ใ ก, and the white color that symbolizes equity.
And also, the purple color of the petals that represent authority of the decisions of the Constitutional Court.
Legal Uniform (๋ฒ๋ณต)
The Judgeโs uniform consist of a black tunic, with a purple โYโ design. Plus, a white shirt and a gray tie. And finally, a traditional knot as decoration, in the center of the back of the tunic.
What characterizes this uniform the most, is in fact the Y-shaped design on the front and its purple color. Which symbolizes the highest authority of the Constitution.

According to Honggik University Professor (ํ์ต๋), Ki-Suk Kim (๊ธ๊ธฐ์), the black symbolizes the independence of the judges. Besides, the vertical wrinkles found on both sides of the front of the tunic represent the rigidity of the judges.ย
Commemoration Ceremony (์ ํ์ ๊ฒฝ์ถ์)
To commemorate, the government holds a ceremony in the National Assembly building, in the morning. There, people who were representatives of the nation can participate.
Due to the fact that everyone is equal before the law, anyone can apply online to become a National Representative. Without any special requirements, of course.
It is worth to mention that there is even a hymn for the constitution. As shown below.
Conclusion
Now that you know everything about the Constitution Day (์ ํ์ ) in South Korea, you have definitely leveled up in your korean studies. We hope that our article has helped you in that.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Also, donโt forget to visit my profile to continue reading interesting posts about South Korea!ย Click here