Changwon National University Awards Hwarang Military Merit Medal to Korean War Veterans

Delivered to Professor Mun Ja-yeong, son of the late Moon Jeong-no

Changwon National University announced on the 5th that it awarded the Hwarang Military Merit Medal on behalf of the government to Moon Ja-young, head of the R&D Innovation Headquarters and professor of the Department of Life and Health Sciences at Changwon National University, in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice.

According to the university, Director Moon is the son of the late Moon Jeong-no, a Korean War veteran, and received the Hwarang Military Merit Medal, the fourth highest military decoration of the Republic of Korea, on behalf of his father.

The Hwarang Military Merit Medal is awarded to those who have demonstrated distinguished military merit by participating in combat during wartime or emergencies, or by responding to enemy attacks in combat zones.

President Lee Ho-young of Changwon National University (right) is presenting the Hwarang Military Merit Medal to Professor Moon Ja-young, the son of a Korean War veteran.
[Photo by Changwon National University]

This award was given through the “Finding Korean War Military Merit Medals” project, which is based on the Act on Awarding Military Decorations for the Korean War, aimed at locating and awarding medals to those who were eligible for military decorations during the Korean War but did not receive them in reality.

President Lee Ho-young said, “It is regrettable that we cannot personally present the medal to the deceased who served with distinction in the Korean War, but I am glad that the medal has finally found its rightful owner,” adding, “The university will continue to work together to ensure that the patriotism of those who sacrificed for the country shines even brighter.”

Director Moon said, “My father lost one leg during the Korean War but was always proud of his service,” and expressed gratitude to the government and the Army Headquarters for finding the old records and awarding the military merit medal.