Constitution Day is observed in South Korea on July 17.
This holiday commemorates the day of adoption of constitution on July 17, 1948.
Japan invaded Korea in the end of the 16th century, installing there its administration.
The territory of South Korea was liberated from Japan only after the end of World War II on August 15, 1945.
The newly liberated nation was caught in the middle of the Cold War between the USA and Russia.
The first democratic elections for National Assembly were held only in 1948.
The elected members of the National Assembly drafted the first South Korean constitution, that came into effect after its promulgation on July 17, 1948.
The holiday of Constitution Day was proclaimed on October 1, 1949.
At that time it was a non-working holiday.
Since 2008 Constitution Day in South Korea is a working holiday.
