Article 1(Purpose) #
The purpose of this Decree is to establish the Committee for Commemorative Programs for the 80th Anniversary of Korea’s Liberation, marking the 80th anniversary of Korea's Liberation in 2025, in order to efficiently promote such commemorative projects, and to prescribe matters necessary for its composition and operation.
Article 2(Definitions) #
"Commemorative Programs for the 80th Anniversary of Korea’s Liberation" as used in this Decree means programs including the August 15 commemorative ceremony, domestic and international academic conferences, cultural and artistic events, and publications, which are intended to reaffirm the spirit of independence for freedom, enhance national pride, and embody the commitment of the Republic of Korea to contribute to global freedom, peace, and prosperity.
Article 3(Establishment and functions) #
(1) The Committee for Promotion of the Commemorative Programs for the 80th Anniversary of Korea’s Liberation (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee") shall be established under the Prime Minister.
(2) The Committee shall deliberate on and resolve the following matters:
1. Direction-setting and determination of specific programs for promoting the commemorative programs for the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation;
2. Formulation of a comprehensive plan for the commemorative programs for the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation;
3. Overall coordination and adjustment of event plans related to the commemorative programs for the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation;
4. Planning and support of events related to the commemorative programs for the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation;
5. Other matters related to the commemorative programs for the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation that the chairperson of the Committee deems necessary to refer to the Committee.
Article 4(Composition) #
(1) The Committee shall be composed of not more than 80 members, including 2 chairpersons.
(2) The chairpersons of the Committee (hereinafter referred to as the “chairpersons”) shall be the Prime Minister and one person appointed by the Prime Minister from among those specified in paragraph (3) 3.
(3) The members of the Committee shall be the persons falling under each of the following subparagraphs: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025; Dec. 30, 2025>
1. The Minister of Finance and Economy, the Minister of Science and ICT, the Minister of Education, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Unification, the Minister of the Interior and Safety, the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources, the Minister of Gender Equality and Family, the Chairperson of the Korea Media and Communications Commission, the Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, and other heads of relevant central administrative agencies deemed necessary by the Prime Minister;
2. The head of the Mayor/Do Governors' Council established pursuant to Article 182(1)1 of the Local Autonomy Act;
3. A person commissioned by the Prime Minister, with due consideration given to gender, from among persons with extensive knowledge and experience and who are widely respected by the public (hereinafter referred to as a "commissioned member").
(4) The term of office of the commissioned members shall be the duration of the Committee's existence.
(5) The chairperson shall represent the Committee and exercise overall control over its affairs.
(6) Where the chairpersons are both unable to perform their duties due to unavoidable reasons, the members designated in advance by the chairpersons after consultation shall perform the duties of the chairpersons.
Article 5(Exclusion of, challenge to, and recusal of member) #
(1) If a member of the Committee falls under any of the following subparagraphs, he or she shall be excluded from the deliberation and resolution of the Committee:
1. Where a member of the Committee or his or her spouse or former spouse is a party to the relevant agenda item (including its executive officers if the party is a corporation or organization; the same shall apply hereinafter in this Article) or a joint right holder or joint obligor with a party to the agenda item;
2. Where a member of the Committee is or was a relative of a party to the relevant agenda item;
3. Where a member of the Committee has provided services, advice, research, appraisal, or investigation on the relevant agenda item;
4. Where a member of the Committee or a corporation or organization to which the member belongs is or was an agent of a party to the relevant agenda item;
5. In other cases where a member of the Committee is recognized as having a direct interest in the Committee's deliberation and resolution.
(2) If a party to the relevant agenda item has grounds for exclusion under paragraph (1) or if circumstances make it difficult to expect a member of the Committee to conduct a fair deliberation or resolution, the party concerned may file a request for challenge with the Committee, and the Committee shall decide whether to grant challenge by resolution. In such cases, the member of the Committee subject to the request for challenge shall not participate in the resolution.
(3) A member of the Committee shall voluntarily recuse oneself from the deliberation or resolution of the relevant agenda item if he or she falls under the grounds specified in paragraph (1) or (2).
Article 6(Dismissal of members) #
The Prime Minister may dismiss a commissioned member if the member falls under any of the following subparagraphs:
1. Where the member becomes unable to perform duties for a long period of time due to mental or physical weakness, etc.;
2. Where the member commits irregularities related to his or her duties;
3. Where the person is deemed unsuitable to be a member of the Committee due to neglect of duty, loss of dignity, or other reasons;
4. Where a member of the Committee fails to recuse himself or herself from deliberation, etc. despite being subject to the grounds specified in any subparagraph of Article 5(1) or paragraph (2) of that Article;
5. Where a member of the Committee expresses his or her intention that it is difficult to perform his or her duties.
Article 7(Meetings) #
(1) The chairperson shall convene and preside over meetings of the Committee.
(2) A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and any decision thereof shall require a concurring vote of at least a majority of those present.
Article 8(Sectoral committees) #
(1) The Committee may have sectoral committees to efficiently conduct its affairs.
(2) Any deliberation and resolution by a sectoral committee on matters delegated thereto by the Committee shall be deemed to be the deliberation and resolution of the Committee.
(3) Matters necessary for the establishment and operation of the sectoral committees shall be determined by the chairperson after deliberation by the Committee.
Article 9(Administrative secretary) #
In order to handle the affairs of the Committee, the Committee shall have one administrative secretary, who shall be the First Vice Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination.
Article 10(Inter-ministerial council) #
(1) The Inter-Ministerial Consultative council shall be established under the Committee to review and coordinate administrative and financial matters concerning agenda items to be submitted to the Committee and to consult on measures for implementation by each relevant agency concerning matters decided by the Committee.
(2) The Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination shall serve as the chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Consultative Council, and the members of the Inter-Ministerial Consultative Council shall be the deputy heads of the relevant central administrative agencies related to agenda items to be submitted to the Committee and other matters (where there are two or more deputy heads, the person designated by the head of the relevant central administrative agency).
Article 11(Advisory group) #
An advisory group may be established under the Committee to provide advice on agenda items to be submitted to the Committee and on the Commemorative Programs for the 80th Anniversary of Korea’s Liberation.
Article 12(Planning Task Force for the Commemorative Programs for the 80th Anniversary of Korea’s Liberation) #
(1) The Planning Task Force for the 80th Anniversary of National Liberation Commemorative Programs (hereinafter referred to as the "Task Force") shall be established in the Office for Government Policy Coordination to support the work of the Committee, its sectoral committees, and the Inter-Ministerial Council.
(2) The Task Force shall have one head, who shall be designated by the Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination from among the general service public officials belonging to the Office for Government Policy Coordination.
(3) The head of the Task Force shall, under the direction of the chairperson, oversee the affairs of the Task Force and supervise its staff.
(4) Where necessary for the operation of the Committee or the performance of the duties of the Task Force, experts in relevant fields may be appointed to the Task Force as public officials in fixed-term positions within budgetary limits.
Article 13(Requests for cooperation from relevant agency) #
(1) Where necessary for the operation of the Committee or for the performance of the duties of the Task Force, the Committee may request the secondment of public officials or executive officers and employees belonging to central administrative agencies, local governments, public institutions under the Act on the Management of Public Institutions, government-funded research institutes under the Act on the Establishment, Operation and Fostering of Government-Funded Research Institutes, or related institutions or organizations.
(2) Where necessary for the performance of its duties, the Committee may have relevant public officials or experts appear before it to hear their opinions, or may request relevant institutions or organizations to submit necessary materials or opinions.
(3) Where necessary for the performance of its duties, the Committee may commission relevant experts or related institutions or organizations to conduct survey or research.
(4) Where survey or research is commissioned to relevant experts or related institutions or organizations pursuant to paragraph (3), necessary expenses may be paid within budgetary limits.
(5) Where necessary for the performance of its duties, the Committee may solicit public opinion through the holding of public hearings or seminars, broadcast debates, or public contests.
Article 14(Allowances) #
Members of the Committee, sectoral committees, and inter-ministerial councils, members of advisory groups, relevant public officials, and relevant experts may be paid allowances, travel expenses, and other necessary expenses within budgetary limits; provided, this shall not apply to public officials who attend the Committee, sectoral committees, or inter-ministerial councils directly related to their duties.
Article 15(Detailed guidelines for operation) #
Except as provided in this Decree, matters necessary for the operation of the Committee, sectoral committees, inter-ministerial councils, advisory groups, and task force shall be determined by the chairperson following a resolution of the Committee.