The Government Legislation Office will run online and offline citizen participation campaigns through July to commemorate the designation of Constitution Day (July 17) as a public holiday and the establishment of National Sovereignty Day (December 3).
The campaign aims to convey that the Constitution goes beyond legal text on paper to represent a substantive value that has safeguarded citizens' daily lives and a precious legacy to be passed on to future generations.
On the 12th (postponed in case of rain), a "Gwanghwamun Constitution Guerrilla Lecture" will be held in collaboration with history instructor Choi Tae-sung, known as "Keunbyeolssaem." At Yukjo Plaza in Gwanghwamun, Choi will vividly deliver to citizens the dynamic narrative of the Constitution that has taken root in our lives through the turbulent modern and contemporary history. The event is expected to broaden public consensus on constitutional values.
The Government Legislation Office has worked to popularize the spirit of the Constitution, starting with the public release of constitutional lectures in January and signing a business agreement with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Justice, and the Constitutional Court to strengthen constitutional education in schools.
Various citizen participation programs will continue. The office will produce featured content capturing the candid voices of 717 citizens answering the question "What does the Constitution mean to me?" It will also run a "Leaving the Constitution by Hand" transcription challenge in collaboration with Monami, a leading Korean stationery brand. A specially produced "Constitution Edition Monami 153 Pen" will be distributed for the campaign, allowing citizens to directly write out constitutional provisions and feel their profound meaning through their fingertips.
"The designation of Constitution Day as a public holiday is a valuable opportunity to reflect on the meaning of popular sovereignty at the national level," said Cho Won-chul, Minister of Government Legislation. "Through this campaign, we ask for active participation and interest so that the values of the Constitution, which have protected the daily lives of each and every citizen, can be firmly passed on to the next generation."
