Constitution Day on July 17 has been restored as a public holiday after 18 years. The government restored Constitution Day's public holiday status to reflect on the significance of the enactment of the Constitution and to commemorate the values of popular sovereignty and democracy. As a result, a three-day holiday weekend was formed.

Public Holiday Restoration Passed at Cabinet Meeting

The Ministry of Personnel Management announced that a partial amendment to the "Regulations on Public Holidays for Government Offices," which designates Constitution Day as a public holiday, passed at a Cabinet meeting. Constitution Day was designated as a national day and public holiday in 1949 to commemorate July 17, 1948, when the Constitution of the Republic of Korea was promulgated. However, it was excluded from public holidays starting in 2008 during the process of adjusting holidays following the introduction of the five-day workweek, and with this amendment, it regained its public holiday status after 18 years.

Substitute Holiday Granted When Falling on Weekends or Other Holidays

The government decided to apply the substitute holiday system in consideration of the historical and constitutional significance of Constitution Day. If Constitution Day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or overlaps with another public holiday, a substitute holiday will be granted. Minister of Personnel Management Choi Dong-suk said, "Designating Constitution Day as a public holiday is not simply about adding a day off, but holds meaning in having all citizens collectively commemorate the spirit of the Republic of Korea's Constitution and the principle of popular sovereignty."

72 Public Holidays in 2027... 119 Days for Institutions with Five-Day Workweek

According to the 2027 calendar guidelines announced by the Ministry of Personnel Management, the number of public holidays for government offices based on red-letter days totals 76 days, including 52 Sundays, national days, and substitute holidays. However, since Lunar New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Liberation Day, and National Foundation Day overlap with Sundays, the actual number of public holidays is 72 days. For institutions implementing a five-day workweek, adding 52 Saturdays brings the annual total to 124 days, but since Constitution Day, the first day of the Lunar New Year holiday, Hangul Day, Christmas, and one other day overlap with Saturdays, the actual number of holidays was tallied at 119 days.

The government expects that the restoration of Constitution Day as a public holiday will serve as an opportunity to reflect on the values of the Constitution and the spirit of democracy in everyday life, beyond simply providing a day of rest.

[※ This article was drafted using generative AI to deliver government policy information more easily and accurately, and was finalized after fact-checking and editing by a reporter.]