May 1 Labor Day and July 17 Constitution Day to Become Public Holidays Starting This Year

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[Financial News] Labor Day, observed on May 1, and Constitution Day, observed on July 17, have been designated as public holidays starting this year.
The Ministry of Personnel Management announced on the 28th that a partial revision to the Regulations on Public Holidays of Government Offices, which designates Labor Day and Constitution Day as public holidays, was approved at a State Council of South Korea meeting.
The move follows amendments to the Act on Public Holidays passed in January and March to designate Constitution Day and Labor Day as public holidays.
Under the Act on the Establishment of Labor Day, Labor Day was designated as "Labor Day" in 1963, allowing private-sector workers to take a paid day off. However, public officials, teachers and others not covered by the Labor Standards Act were not guaranteed a holiday.
But after the name was changed to "International Workers' Day" through a legal revision in November last year, it has now been designated as a public holiday for the first time in 63 years, giving all citizens a guaranteed day off.
Constitution Day was designated as a national holiday and public holiday in 1949 to commemorate July 17, 1948, when the Constitution of the Republic of Korea was promulgated. It was removed from the list of public holidays in 2008 after the five-day work week system was introduced, but this measure restores it as a public holiday after 18 years.
The substitute holiday system will also apply to Labor Day and Constitution Day. The decision reflects the purpose of designating the two days as public holidays and the fact that substitute holidays already apply to current national holidays that are public holidays.
Choi Dong-seok, minister of the Ministry of Personnel Management, said, "Designating Labor Day and Constitution Day as public holidays has value beyond simply adding more holidays." He added, "I hope this will serve as an opportunity for all citizens to reflect on and celebrate the spirit of the Constitution, including the value of labor and the principle of popular sovereignty."
spring@fnnews.com Lee Bo-mi Reporter