The oldest Government Commendation Regulation 정부표창규정 政府表彰規程 that I have found, is Decree 각령 #940, dated Aug. 22, 1962. It is administered by the Ministry of Public Administration and Security 행정안전부 (Office in charge of awards and training상훈담당관실). The regulation stipulated matters regarding commendations awarded by each government agency.
Recognition under this regulation is divided into Achievement Awards, Honor Awards and Cooperation Awards. The criteria for the Cooperation Award could be determined by the head of each central administrative agency. Awards came with a Commendation Document. Prize money and/or other prizes could also be awarded with the commendation.
Achievement Awards 공적상 are awarded to public officials or institutions in the following cases: 1. for excellent and faithful performance of duties, 2. for constructive and creative opinions or ideas which improve administrative efficiency, or 3. for contributing to the national interest and national development through other dedicated services.
Honors Awards 우등상 are given to public officials or institutions in the following cases: 1. excellent educational performance in civil servant education, or 2. for achieving excellent results in various competitions
Cooperation Awards 협조상 are awarded to general public organization or foreigners in the following cases: 1. where there is a remarkable achievement by actively cooperating in the performance of administrative duties, 2. when the country’s honor and prestige are elevated externally, or 3. when contributing to the national interest and development through other dedicated service.
Recognition cannot be awarded twice for the same achievement.
Ministry of Defense Commendation
I recently acquired a Ministry of Defense Commendation 국방부장관 표창, however, I have not been able to find any significant information on it. I know that they are available from Heung Sun Ltd. (주) 훙선, which is a Korean manufacturer and exporter of decorations, rank insignia, medals, ribbons and ribbon bars, buckles, patches, epaulets, etc.
I have found a picture of a regional commander (in uniform) of the Reserve Army receiving this decoration, but I have not been unable to find the regulations. I would appreciate any information or suggestions that you can provide.
Army Chief of Staff Commendation
I have also recently acquire an Army Chief of Staff Commendation, however, like the previous commendation, I have not been able to find any significant information on it, but I have found a picture of an Korean officer in uniform wearing it on the right side of his Chest. It can also be acquired through Heung Sun Ltd. (주) 훙선.
Military Commendation Regulations 군표창규정
The Military Commendation Regulations began on July 16, 1962 with the Legislature 각령 Act #881. Commendations were awarded in four categories: Achievement 공적상, Honor 우등상, Diligence 정근상 and Cooperation 협조상.
Achievement Awards are awarded to units or soldiers that have made remarkable achievements in military affairs. In the case of a unit, a unit citation is awarded, and in the case of a soldier, a personal citation is awarded.
The Honors Award is awarded to a person who is a model for others because of good behavior and excellent academic achievements during the military education period, or to units, government offices, organizations or individuals who have achieved excellent results in various military-related competitions hosted by government agencies or the military.
The Diligence award commends diligence for every three years of active duty to a person who has served as a sergeant and serves as a model for others for a long time.
The Award for Cooperation is a certificate of appreciation to those who actively cooperate with the military as civil servants, civilians or foreigners. It excludes civil servants belonging to the Ministry of Defense.
There is a prohibition against duplicate awards for the same achievement. Once recognition is given, it cannot be rescinded. However, exceptions are made when the achievements for which it was awarded are found to be false. If a person who is to receive a commendation dies before receiving the commendation, the relevant commendation, award, diligence award, or a certificate of appreciation is awarded to a family member. This family member is determined by the provisions of Article 2 of the Military Survivor Badge Decree.
The Military Commendation Regulations 군표창규정 were issued 8 times between July 16, 1962 and Sept. 19, 2017. The only significant change occurred in Presidential Decree 대통령령 #28297, when the Diligence Award was dropped. In none of the decrees that have been issued, is there any mention given to a badge or medal or even to the method of wear for a badge or medal.
National Assembly Commendation
A National Assembly commendation are given to individuals or organization that has made outstanding contributions to legislative support work or have contributed to the development of the country or the National Assembly.
Citations are divided into 4 classifications: Achievement Awards, Creativity Awards, Honor Awards, and Cooperation Awards.
The Achievement Award is given for the excellent and faithful performance of one’s duties, or if they have contributed to the interests of the country or society and its development through dedicated service.
The Creativity Award is given for making creative proposals to improve the efficiency of the National Assembly.
The Honors Award is awarded when a student has excellent grades or has achieved excellent results in various competitions.
The Cooperation Award is conferred to those who have contributed to the development of the country or the National Assembly through outstanding achievements or other dedicated services by actively cooperating with the legislative support work.
Recognition cannot be given twice for the same achievement.
A Flag Cordon is awarded when commendations are given to groups or organizations.
National Election Committee Commendation
Fire Department 119 Commendation Medal
On Apr. 14, 2019 The Korean Fire Department announced the selection of 7 citizens from the general public who risked their lives to save the lives of others at the scene of various disasters and accidents before the 119 rescue team arrived. They were the first group of people to receive the Fire Department’s Righteous Person Commendation Medal.
The ribbon signifies Honor and Glory. If you look closely, you will see “119” in the gold band around the ribbon. 119 is the Korean Emergency Call Number. The Chinese Character at the center of the pendant is the word for Righteous (義, 의). The rays emanating from the center (中支, 중지) signifies that the deed shines brightly. The 12 stars(星, 성) represent the 12 months of the year and the green arms (綠大支, 녹대지) symbolize safety (안전).
Seoul Award
I have no information on the award criteria.
Originally awarded by Kim Hyeon Ok 김현옥 (金玄玉 1926-1997). He was a civil servant and administrative official who served as the 12th and 13th Mayor of Busan, the 14th Mayor of Seoul , and later as the Minister of Home Affairs. He was a graduate of the 4th class of the Korea Military Academy and a junior of Park Chung-hee. He was selected as the 14th Mayor of Seoul in 1966 and enthusiastically promoted several development projects simultaneously. He changed the face of Seoul, pushing through the construction of large apartment complexes, earning him the nickname 불도저 ”Bulldozer”. (Since 1995, the mayor of Seoul has been elected by direct election.)
After liberation, he entered the South Korean National Defense Guard as a member of the third class of the Korea Military Academy in April 1947 and served as an officer, eventually rising to the rank of Brigadier General. On September 25-26, 1948, he was selected as a table tennis instructor by the Korea Table Tennis Association and participated in a training camp. On April 24, 1949, he was elected vice president of the Table Tennis Association. He graduated from Konkuk University’s Law School 건국대학교 법학전문대학원 in September 1957.
He participated in the Korean War and received a U. S. President Citation (Oct. 12, 1955). He served as the Deputy Chief of Transportation of the Army Transportation Command, Commander of the Army Transportation School, Chief of the Transportation Staff of the 1st Field Command, Deputy Commander and Commander of the 3rd Port Command, and after the May 16 military coup, he became the mayor of Busan, Gyeongsangnam -do while still on active duty. After his retirement from military service, he served as the mayor of Busan and Seoul but resigned due to the collapse of the Wau Apartment complex on April 8, 1970.1 In 1980, he was investigated by the military junta as an illegal wealth gatherer. In 1981, he moved to Yangsan and served as the principal of Jang-an Middle School, a private school taken over by his relatives.
Ministry of Construction
I have no information on the award criteria.
Originally awarded by Lee Han-lim (李翰林 1921 – 2012). He was a South Korean soldier, entrepreneur, politician, and diplomat. His pen name is Jeongam and his Japanese name was Kazumi Kanrin (香住翰林). After graduating from Manchukuo Military Academy at Shinkyong and studying at the Imperial Japanese Army Academy, he served as an officer in the Manchukuo Imperial Army. He was a classmate of Park Chung Hee at the Manchukuo Military Academy. After the defeat of Japan, the Southern half of the Korean peninsula was administered by the U.S. military government. On 5 December 1945, he entered the first class of the Military English School and was commissioned on 26 February 1946. During the Korean War, he served as the commander of the 9th Division and played a major role in securing the ‘Iron Triangle’ by repelling several Chinese attacks in the Battle of Geumhwa District. In 1954, after the Korean Armistice, he was appointed commander of the 6th Corps and in 1960, commander of the 1st Army. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant General. He was known for his political neutrality and for being the only commanding officer to publicly declare opposition to the May 16 coup d’état (5·16 군사정변) that put Park Chung Hee into political power. Due to his opposition, he was arrested two days later and discharged from the military. He was exiled and spent some time in the United States. He attended and graduated from both the University of California, Santa Barbara and Harvard University. Upon his return to Korea, he served a short prison term due to his earlier opposition to the military coup. In 1963, after he was released, he served as head of the Korea Water Resources Corporation 한국수자원공사 (韓國水資源公社) at the request of Park Chung Hee. In 1968, he was the head of Jinhae Chemical. He later served as Minister of Construction from 1969 to 1971, President of the Tourism Corporation 한국관광공사 in 1972, and as Ambassador to Turkey and Australia from 1974 to 1980. In 2008, he was included on the list of pro-Japanese of people that was compiled by the Institute of National Studies. He is interred at Daejeon National Cemetery.
Ministry of Interior and Safety
Ministry of Public Administration and Security 행정안전부 표창
Jeju Cultural Center (President Kim Soon-i) received a commendation from the National Archives of the Ministry of Public Administration and Security for the ‘2020 National Archives Management Group Commendation for Contribution to the National Archives’ on December 23, 2020.
The original picture source was DWB News 장애인복지뉴스 Welfare News for Persons with Disabilities, but it no longer exists.
From the Gyeongsangnam Province Archives 경상남도기록원
Safety and Security
국민안전처장관 표창
Administration and Home Affairs
행정자치부장관 표창
Governor’s Commendation
경상남도지사 표창