The Ministry of National Defense will award commendations to 11 service members who contributed to upholding constitutional values and protecting democracy during events such as the December 3 Martial Law.
On September 23, the Ministry of National Defense announced that it had selected 11 individuals, including Army Colonel Cho Seonghyun and Marine Colonel Park Junghoon, as recipients in connection with the 77th Armed Forces Day regular commendations.
The Ministry explained, "This commendation recognizes service members who, in urgent situations, fulfilled their mission as members of the armed forces by protecting the lives and safety of the people, refusing to carry out illegal or unjust orders, and upholding the military's duty to defend constitutional values and democracy."
To select the recipients, the Ministry's Inspector General's Office reviewed operational logs, media reports, and conducted interviews with relevant personnel, recommending 11 candidates. A merit review committee, which included civilian members such as legal and academic experts, then engaged in in-depth discussions. Finally, in accordance with procedures set by relevant laws such as the Decorations Act, 11 final recipients were recommended.
The level of commendation was determined through both quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the extent to which each individual's decisions and actions contributed to defending constitutional values and democracy, as well as the impact on the lives and safety of the people. As a result, Army Colonel Kim Moonsang, Army Colonel Cho Seonghyun, Army Lieutenant Colonel Kim Hyeonggi, and Marine Colonel Park Junghoon will be awarded the Order of National Security Merit, Samil Medal.
Colonel Kim Moonsang was recognized for his decisive contribution during the December 3 Martial Law by postponing or refusing emergency flight approvals three times, thereby delaying the entry of Army Special Warfare Command troops into the National Assembly by 42 minutes and enabling the Assembly to pass the motion to lift martial law. Colonels Cho Seonghyun and Lieutenant Colonel Kim Hyeonggi were also acknowledged for refusing to follow illegal or unjust orders from the outset of the martial law declaration and avoiding clashes with citizens, thereby helping to prevent national chaos. Colonel Park Junghoon was commended for "accepting personal disadvantage and refusing illegal or unjust orders from superiors, thereby contributing to the protection of constitutional values such as freedom of conscience."
In addition,considering their actions in avoiding clashes with citizens or carrying out their duties passively during deployments to the National Assembly, thereby protecting the lives and safety of the people, and delaying the issuance of ammunition to deployed units so that they were dispatched without ammunition, one Army Sergeant First Class will receive the Order of National Security Merit, one Army Major will receive the Presidential Citation, and one Army Major, one Army Captain, and one Army Sergeant First Class will receive the Prime Minister's Citation.
For four others whose contributions were confirmed (two Army Majors and two Army Warrant Officers), the Minister of National Defense Citation will be awarded.
The Ministry of National Defense stated, "With this commendation, we will continue to identify and reward true military personnel who, in accordance with constitutional values, can resolutely refuse illegal or unjust orders and reject injustice, so that the armed forces can earn the trust of the people."
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