The contemporary framework for national merit pensions and rewards was formed after the founding of the Military Relief Agency (Veterans Administration) on August, 5, 1961. The Agency adopted the concepts of modern veterans benefit programs from developed countries, and from more traditional benefit systems. The Military Relief Administration was promoted to the Relief Agency on April 16, 1962, and was reorganized as the Ministry of Patriots & Veterans Affairs (MPVA) 국가보훈처 (國家報勳處) on January 1, 1985. The organizational structure that took place in 1985 was aimed at creating a balanced approach between the government’s initiative to provide benefits, and to insure the community’s active participation in recognizing the sacrifices others had made for freedom. The following year, the National Medal of Merit was instituted.
The National Medal of Merit 국가유공자기장1 is also known as the National Merited Person Medal. It came into existence on June 9, 1986, under Presidential Decree; #11917. While not found within any legislation: When a person applies for a pension(s) with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, if found eligible, they would receive the medal along with their pension. I have not been able to determine if a person, who was already receiving their pension, was eligible, but it seems likely that they were. Families who requested awards (Orders, Merit Medals or Presidential Commendations) for the deeds of their deceased relatives could also receive the medal if the deceased received formal recognition.
The purpose of the National Medal of Merit is found under Article 2, Paragraph 3 of the Honorable Treatment of National Merited Persons Law, and is awarded to individuals who fall under any subparagraph of Article 4.
Those individuals defined as National Meritorious Persons include:
- A patriot awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation, the National Foundation Merit Medal, or the Presidential Commendation for National Foundation, in appreciation of meritorious deeds performed in the Independence Movement (독립운동 – 獨立運動) against the Japanese colonial rule.
- A veteran who was killed or who was disabled in a combat action, such as the Korean War, the Vietnam War, during military training, or in the performance of their duty.
- A person who was awarded the Order of Military Merit, or National Security Merit, in appreciation of exceptional efforts to protect national security in war or in peacetime. Individuals who had received the Order of Service Merit, before 1967, are considered to have been awarded the Order of National Security Merit.
- A veteran, who had been living in Japan, and who, volunteered and participated in, the Korean War between Jun. 25, 1950 and July 27, 1953.
- A person who participated in and was killed or died or was disabled in the revolution that occurred around Apr. 19, 1960 (사월혁명, 四月革命), or who was awarded the National Foundation Medal.
- A person who was disabled in the line of duty while serving in a national or local government office.
- A person who is determined to have been killed or wounded during the performance of distinguished service, or someone who is determined to have been a special contributor to national and social development. Special determinations for this type of compensation are to be made at a cabinet council meeting.
The medal is awarded by the Director of the Office of the Veterans Administration. It is worn on the right side of the chest. Only the original recipient can wear the medal. The recipient of the medal is given a certificate which must be carried whenever they wear the medal, and the wearing is restricted to National Holidays or on National Commemoration Days. Upon the recipient’s death, the surviving family members may keep the medal.
The National Medal of Merit was discontinued under Presidential Decree #17567 on Mar. 30, 2002.