Lawmakers in a 1948 photo... History Museum's 'Revisiting Constitution Day' special exhibition

The National Museum of Korean History is marking the 78th anniversary of Constitution Day, a holiday recently reinstated as a public holiday after 18 years, with a special exhibition. The exhibition, 'Revisiting Constitution Day,' runs until August 31st and focuses on the spirit of the constitution and the foundational assembly.

Visitors can explore materials from the first National Assembly, formed after the May 10, 1948 election. These include campaign materials from candidates, photographs of the election, newspaper articles introducing the first lawmakers, and the oath of office and opening ceremony footage. The museum aims to highlight the intentions of the constitution's framers for future generations.

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This exhibition aims to examine the meaning that the constituent assembly members wanted to leave for future generations by tracing the process of establishing the constitution.

The exhibition also details the process of enacting the constitution after the assembly's opening, using various documents and artifacts. A notable item is the original draft of the constitution, personally written by Yoo Jin-oh, the first Minister of Government Legislation. Commemorative speeches from past Constitution Days, including one by then-Speaker Shin Ik-hee on the 4th anniversary, are also presented.

Furthermore, the museum is displaying a video enhanced by AI technology, derived from a commemorative photograph taken on July 17, 1948, the day the constitution was promulgated. This image was provided by the families of the first National Assembly members. Museum director Han Soo expressed hope that the exhibition will serve as a moment to remember the dedicated efforts of those who established the constitution.

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We hope this exhibition will be a time to remember the constituent assembly members who made dedicated efforts to establish the constitution.