Assemblies in Photos
July 17, 1948: the Constitution of the Republic of Korea is promulgated
- Jul 18, 2014
- 507
Sixty-six years ago, the constitution of the Republic of Korea was established. On May 10, 1948, the general elections took place in 200 constituencies across the nation except for two in Jeju Island, making this the first step toward the foundation of a new country. At that time, the right to vote was given to people 21 years of age or older, two years higher than today, while the right to be elected was given to those 25 years or older. On May 31, the representative-elects gathered in the then parliamentary building to celebrate the opening of the Constituent Assembly and elected a Speaker and Vice Speakers.
On June 3, the constitution drafting committee was formed with 30 members and 10 outside experts. They elected Rep. Seo Sang-il as chairman and embarked on drawing up the Constitution, on the basis of a draft proposed by one of the outside members, Yu Jin-O, and referring to one made by Gwon Seung-ryeol. The committee decided on June 10 that the National Assembly be unicameral, and the following day, that the government of the country would adopt the parliamentary cabinet system.
The smooth progress of the committee, however, was halted on June 15. Speaker Rhee Syngman requested the committee to change the government system into the presidential system. When the committee turned this down, Speaker Rhee took a detour and tried to convene the whole house committee, but that motion was voted down as well. Driven into a corner, he announced on June 21 that unless the drafting committee accept the presidential system, he would not participate in the government and devote himself only to civil activities. At last, the committee revised the draft to stipulate that the government follow the presidential system, and passed it on June 22.
On June 23, the draft Constitution was referred to and explained to the plenary. At its second reading held on July 1, the Assembly decided the name of the new country as the Republic of Korea. After one more reading on July 7, the draft passed the plenary on July 12 to officially become the Constitution of the Republic of Korea.
On July 17, 1948, over 50 days into the inauguration of the Constituent Assembly, the 103 articles of the Constitution were finally promulgated.
On June 3, the constitution drafting committee was formed with 30 members and 10 outside experts. They elected Rep. Seo Sang-il as chairman and embarked on drawing up the Constitution, on the basis of a draft proposed by one of the outside members, Yu Jin-O, and referring to one made by Gwon Seung-ryeol. The committee decided on June 10 that the National Assembly be unicameral, and the following day, that the government of the country would adopt the parliamentary cabinet system.
The smooth progress of the committee, however, was halted on June 15. Speaker Rhee Syngman requested the committee to change the government system into the presidential system. When the committee turned this down, Speaker Rhee took a detour and tried to convene the whole house committee, but that motion was voted down as well. Driven into a corner, he announced on June 21 that unless the drafting committee accept the presidential system, he would not participate in the government and devote himself only to civil activities. At last, the committee revised the draft to stipulate that the government follow the presidential system, and passed it on June 22.
On June 23, the draft Constitution was referred to and explained to the plenary. At its second reading held on July 1, the Assembly decided the name of the new country as the Republic of Korea. After one more reading on July 7, the draft passed the plenary on July 12 to officially become the Constitution of the Republic of Korea.
On July 17, 1948, over 50 days into the inauguration of the Constituent Assembly, the 103 articles of the Constitution were finally promulgated.
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