Constitution Day (제헌절, 制憲節, system(ize).constitution.period, day, etc.) in South Korea is held on July 17th, the day that the Korean Constitution was proclaimed in 1948. July 17th was decided on as the Korean constitution day on October the 1st when the law on public holidays of the country (국경일에 관한 법률, 國慶日에 關한 法律) was put into force. This was three years after the defeat of Japan in World War II, after Korea had held its first democratic elections.
Beginning in 2008, Constitution Day in South Korea will no longer be a public holiday (공휴일, 公休日) for workers though still a day of commemoration or national holiday (國慶日); in short, it will still exist but will no longer be a day off. Arbor Day (식목일, 植木日, plant.tree.day) has also been removed as a day off along with the restructuring of the public sector with a 40-hour work week.
[edit] Public view of Constitution Day
Given that Constitution Day does not have a great deal of drama attached to it, it is not usually thought of as much more than an extra day off. Other days such as Independence Day (August 15th), the day of the March 1st uprisings (삼일절) and so on seem to have much more meaning for the average person.
[edit] Images
The flag is hung along light posts on the street on this day, but actual celebrations are few.
[edit] Lyrics
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비 구름 바람 거느리고
인간을 도우셨다는 우리 옛적
삼백 예순 남은 일이
하늘 뜻 그대로였다
삼천 만 한결같이 지킬 언약 이루니
옛 길에 새 걸음으로 발 맞추리라
이 날은 대한민국 억만 년의 터다
대한민국 억만 년의 터
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[edit] External links
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