Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung has directed his senior aides to review a plan that could see Constitution Day once again recognized as a public holiday. Constitution Day, observed annually on July 17, was previously a public holiday until it was reclassified in 2008 as a commemorative day, resulting in government offices and businesses remaining open.

According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee's instructions to his aides coincide with the 77th anniversary of Constitution Day. He noted that Constitution Day is unique among national commemoration days in not being a public holiday, despite its significance in marking the enactment and proclamation of the Constitution.

President Lee also referenced the public's role in maintaining democratic order, particularly following the brief declaration of martial law by former President Yoon Suk Yeol last December. He suggested that there is a "special need" to properly commemorate the day, indicating that reinstating it as a public holiday would provide citizens an important opportunity to reflect on the constitutional principle that sovereignty resides with the people.

Lee emphasized the importance of the public holiday in allowing citizens to contemplate the constitutional spirit, reinforcing the notion that the people are the true owners of the nation and highlighting the principle of popular sovereignty.