Constitution Day2026 · Date · History
Republic of Korea government sources identify 17 July as Constitution Day, commemorating the Constitution promulgated on 17 July 1948. National Archives records trace its statutory national-day designation to 1949; Ministry of Personnel Management material confirms that Constitution Day returned to public-holiday status in 2026 after exclusion from the public-holiday list beginning in 2008.
About Constitution Day
Constitution Day in the Republic of Korea is observed on July 17 and commemorates the Constitution proclaimed on July 17, 1948.
It remains one of Korea’s national days, and government material confirms that July 17 returned to public-holiday status in 2026 after an 18-year interval.
Why Constitution Day matters
The day provides a civic occasion to learn about the Constitution and the history of Korea’s constitutional institutions.
Its national-day identity and its employment/public-holiday status are related but distinct legal layers, so historical changes in holiday treatment should not be confused with the observance itself.
History of Constitution Day
The Constitution of the Republic of Korea was proclaimed on July 17, 1948.
National Archives records state that Constitution Day was established as a national day under the National Holidays Act in 1949.
The National Archives notes that the name changed from the proposed “Constitution Proclamation Day” to “Constitution Day” during the legislative process.
Government material states that Constitution Day was excluded from the public-holiday list beginning in 2008 while remaining a national day.
The Ministry of Personnel Management announced its restoration as a public holiday from 2026.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Republic of Korea under the 1949 National Holidays Act
National Holidays Act (1949)
Constitution Day ceased to be treated as a public holiday from 2008 while remaining a national day.
Republic of Korea government · Public-holiday framework adjustment
Restored July 17 Constitution Day to public-holiday status from 2026.
Republic of Korea government · 2026 amendment to the Public Holidays Act and implementing public-holiday rules
National Assembly of the Republic of Korea for the principal national ceremony
National Archives material states that the National Assembly has organized the Constitution Day ceremony since the 40th anniversary in 1988.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
3 fields not established in reviewed sources
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
Also known as
Constitution Day Korea
How to Observe Constitution Day
Read an official or archival explanation of the Constitution and its 1948 proclamation.
Compare the historical national-day designation with the separate public-holiday changes in 2008 and 2026.
Use primary or government sources when discussing constitutional history rather than partisan summaries.
If attending a ceremony or educational event, treat differing political views respectfully and keep the focus on documented civic history.
Check current government guidance for workplace or service implications; this observance guide does not provide individualized legal or employment advice.
Constitution Day Facts
Constitution Day falls on July 17.
The date commemorates the Constitution proclaimed on July 17, 1948.
It was designated a national day in 1949.
Public-holiday status was removed beginning in 2008 and restored in 2026.
The current observance should be described in politically neutral, source-based terms.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Remembrance Civic Context Care.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
National Archives of Korea — July 17 Constitution Day (opens in a new tab)
National Archives
Republic of Korea Ministry of Personnel Management — Constitution Day re-designated as public holiday (opens in a new tab)
National Government
Korea.net — Constitution and Government (opens in a new tab)
Government First Party
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Constitution Day?
17 July The documented recurrence rule is: 17 July.
Does Constitution Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Constitution Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Republic of Korea. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes Constitution Day?
The reviewed sources identify Republic of Korea under the 1949 National Holidays Act as the proclaiming or establishing body. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as National Assembly of the Republic of Korea for the principal national ceremony.
Is Constitution Day international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to South Korea. Its fuller verified scope is: Republic of Korea.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-23.
When is Constitution Day in South Korea?
It is observed on July 17.
What does the date commemorate?
It commemorates the proclamation of the Republic of Korea’s Constitution on July 17, 1948.
Is Constitution Day a public holiday in 2026?
Yes. Government material confirms that it returned to public-holiday status in 2026.
Was it always a public holiday?
No. It remained a national day, but government material says it was excluded from the public-holiday list from 2008 until its 2026 restoration.
Is this guide making a political argument?
No. It summarizes documented legal and historical milestones without endorsing a political position.
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