Collection Foundation Day 2026.07.14

Stories About the Birth of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea to Know on Constitution Day

Key flow of Constitution Day from the 1948 Constitution Assembly, the promulgation of the Constitution on July 17, and the designation as a national holiday and its reestablishment

#Constitution Day #Constitution #National Holiday #Democracy #Constitution of the Republic of Korea #Study of History

Constitution Day is not just a commemorative day marked on the calendar; it is a day to reflect on the principles upon which the Republic of Korea stands. The Constitution of the Republic of Korea was promulgated on July 17, 1948, confirming essential frameworks of national governance, such as popular sovereignty, a democratic republic, fundamental rights, and separation of powers. To truly understand Constitution Day, it is beneficial to look at the big picture, including the formation of the Constitution Assembly after liberation, the drafting of the Constitution, the publication in the government gazette, designation as a national holiday, and changes in public holidays, rather than just reading the text of the Constitution itself. This list gathers key events and materials for those who wish to understand the meaning of Constitution Day through historical context.

Constitution Day

It is a national holiday that commemorates the promulgation of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea on July 17, 1948. It is a day to reflect on the values of the Constitution and the fundamental spirit of the democratic republic, and as of 2026, it has been re-designated as a public holiday, making all five major national holidays public holidays. When understanding Constitution Day, it's helpful to connect the Constitution's provisions on the rights of the people, the powers of state institutions, and democratic processes with real-life examples, rather than simply memorizing them. By reading with official materials and discussing questions with family or students, the meaning of this commemorative day becomes much clearer.

날짜 매년 7월 17일 의미 대한민국 헌법 공포 기념 현황 2026년 기준 공휴일 재지정

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Constitution

The Constitution

It is the first constitution of the Republic of Korea, created by the Constitution Assembly in 1948. It adopted a presidential system, a unicameral National Assembly, and a prime ministerial system, and is considered the starting point of constitutional history in Korea. When understanding Constitution Day, it's helpful to connect the Constitution's provisions on the rights of the people, the powers of state institutions, and democratic processes with real-life examples, rather than simply memorizing them. By reading with official materials and discussing questions with family or students, the meaning of this commemorative day becomes much clearer.

연도 1948년 의미 대한민국 최초 헌법 핵심 포인트 헌정사의 출발점

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Constitution Assembly of 1948

The Constitution Assembly of 1948

This assembly was formed through the general election on May 10, 1948, with the historical task of enacting the Constitution. The assembly organized a constitutional drafting committee and led to the enactment of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea after discussions on drafts. When understanding Constitution Day, it's helpful to connect the Constitution's provisions on the rights of the people, the powers of state institutions, and democratic processes with real-life examples, rather than simply memorizing them. By reading with official materials and discussing questions with family or students, the meaning of this commemorative day becomes much clearer.

구성 1948년 5월 총선거 이후 역할 헌법 제정과 국가 기틀 마련 핵심 포인트 제헌절을 이해하는 출발 사건

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Proclamation of the Constitution on July 17, 1948

Promulgation of the Constitution on July 17, 1948

This is the date that serves as the standard for Constitution Day. On this day, the Constitution made by the Constitution Assembly was promulgated, and since then, this day has established itself as a national holiday to commemorate the birth of the Constitution and the start of the democratic republic. When understanding Constitution Day, it's helpful to connect the Constitution's provisions on the rights of the people, the powers of state institutions, and democratic processes with real-life examples, rather than simply memorizing them. By reading with official materials and discussing questions with family or students, the meaning of this commemorative day becomes much clearer.

날짜 1948년 7월 17일 기록 대한민국 헌법 공포 기록 핵심 포인트 제헌절의 직접적 기원

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Draft of the Constitution by Yoo Jin-oh

Draft of the Constitution by Eugene Oh (유진오)

This draft document was an important reference during the discussions of the Constitution. It highlights that the Constitution was not suddenly completed but was developed through various drafts, political discussions, and institutional choices. When understanding Constitution Day, it's helpful to connect the Constitution's provisions on the rights of the people, the powers of state institutions, and democratic processes with real-life examples, rather than simply memorizing them. By reading with official materials and discussing questions with family or students, the meaning of this commemorative day becomes much clearer.

인물 유진오 기록 제헌헌법 초안 핵심 포인트 헌법 제정 과정의 토론과 선택을 보여주는 자료

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Constitution Day as a National Holiday

Constitution Day was designated as a national holiday in 1949 and became a major commemorative day in the Republic of Korea. Along with March 1st Independence Day (3·1절), Liberation Day (광복절), Foundation Day (개천절), and Hangeul Day (한글날), it is considered one of the five major national holidays, a day to reflect on the Constitution and national identity. When understanding Constitution Day, it's helpful to connect the Constitution's provisions on the rights of the people, the powers of state institutions, and democratic processes with real-life examples, rather than simply memorizing them. By reading with official materials and discussing questions with family or students, the meaning of this commemorative day becomes much clearer.

분류 5대 국경일 의미 헌법 가치와 국가 기틀 기념 핵심 포인트 국경일이지만 공휴일 여부는 시기별로 변천

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Re-Designation of Constitution Day as a Public Holiday

Re-designation of Constitution Day as a Public Holiday

Although Constitution Day was excluded from public holidays from 2008, it has been re-designated as a public holiday as of 2026. This change reflects a desire to revisit the values of the Constitution and the meaning of popular sovereignty. When understanding Constitution Day, it's helpful to connect the Constitution's provisions on the rights of the people, the powers of state institutions, and democratic processes with real-life examples, rather than simply memorizing them. By reading with official materials and discussing questions with family or students, the meaning of this commemorative day becomes much clearer.

변화 공휴일 재지정 배경 헌법 가치와 국민주권주의를 되돌아보는 계기 마련 핵심 포인트 휴일 여부보다 헌법의 의미를 함께 생각하기

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Constitution Day and Flag Raising

Raising the Taegeukgi on Constitution Day

Constitution Day is a national holiday, so it is a day to raise the Taegeukgi. Understanding this act as a symbolic action that transcends mere ceremony is meaningful, reminding us of the fundamental promises of the Constitution and national community. When understanding Constitution Day, it's helpful to connect the Constitution's provisions on the rights of the people, the powers of state institutions, and democratic processes with real-life examples, rather than simply memorizing them. By reading with official materials and discussing questions with family or students, the meaning of this commemorative day becomes much clearer.

실천 태극기 게양 의미 국경일 기념과 헌법 가치 기억 활용 팁 가정·학교에서 제헌절 의미와 함께 설명

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The significance of Constitution Day does not end with 'the day the Constitution was made.' The Constitution serves as a standard that restricts state institutions and guarantees the rights of the people, and it is linked to the order we experience in our lives, such as the elections we enjoy, freedom of expression, equality before the law, and the right to a fair trial. Instead of just thinking about raising the Taegeukgi or commemorative ceremonies on Constitution Day, it would be great to slowly read the preamble of the Constitution and the articles on fundamental rights, reflecting on how the promises of a democratic republic connect to our lives today.

한눈에 보기 8개

Constitution Day

매년 7월 17일 · 대한민국 헌법 공포 기념 · 2026년 기준 공휴일 재지정

Constitution

1948년 · 대한민국 최초 헌법 · 헌정사의 출발점

Constitution Assembly of 1948

1948년 5월 총선거 이후 · 헌법 제정과 국가 기틀 마련 · 제헌절을 이해하는 출발 사건

Proclamation of the Constitution on July 17, 1948

1948년 7월 17일 · 대한민국 헌법 공포 기록 · 제헌절의 직접적 기원

Draft of the Constitution by Yoo Jin-oh

유진오 · 제헌헌법 초안 · 헌법 제정 과정의 토론과 선택을 보여주는 자료

Constitution Day as a National Holiday