[Anticipation for the July 2026 'Golden Holiday'… Constitution Day Returns as a Public Holiday After 18 Years]

With Constitution Day in 2026 designated as a public holiday again after 18 years, it is drawing significant attention from workers and students. Constitution Day is a national holiday commemorating the establishment of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, observed every July 17. However, it lost its public holiday status in 2008, stripping away the benefit of a day off. This year, following the government's policy to reinstate it as a public holiday, Constitution Day will once again be a day off, effectively reviving it as a public holiday after 18 years. As a result, many workers are drawing up plans to utilize this holiday in conjunction with their summer vacation schedules.

■ Historical Significance and Changes of Constitution Day Constitution Day is a national holiday designated to commemorate the proclamation of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea on July 17, 1948. Along with Liberation Day, National Foundation Day, and Hangul Day, it is evaluated as a major anniversary symbolizing the national identity. However, due to a policy reducing the number of public holidays, it was excluded from being a day off starting in 2008.

Experts assess that the reinstatement of the Constitution Day public holiday goes beyond simply expanding holidays and could serve as an opportunity to raise public awareness of constitutional values and democracy. Furthermore, analyses suggest that it could have a positive impact on boosting domestic demand and expanding tourism consumption to some extent.

■ Prospects for Expanding Summer Tourism and Consumption Demand With this reinstatement of the public holiday, an expansion in consumption and tourism demand in mid-July is also anticipated. The travel and accommodation industries are focusing on the potential increase in domestic travel demand utilizing the Constitution Day holiday weekend, and competition for flight and train reservations is expected to become even fiercer. In particular, workers are highly interested because taking one or two days of annual leave around Constitution Day would secure a relatively long period of rest. Since it falls right before the peak summer season, an increase in family travelers and domestic tourists is also expected.

Meanwhile, this year's Constitution Day is expected to serve as a turning point, changing the long-standing perception of it being a 'national holiday without a day off.' Attention is focusing on whether the Constitution Day holiday, returning after 18 years, can establish itself as one of the representative holiday periods of the summer.

[※ This article is intended to promote a general understanding of Constitution Day and the public holiday system. Please verify actual holiday operations and details through government announcements and guidelines from relevant authorities. This is an AI-assisted article.]