The South Korean government has decided to revoke national orders of military merit given to 10 military officers involved in the 1979 military coup led by the late former President Chun Doo-hwan. These officers, who played significant roles in the coup orchestrated by then Maj. Gen. Chun on December 12, 1979, had been awarded the Chungmu Order of Military Merit, which has now been cancelled. Chun, who passed away in 2021, took power through the coup and later became president.
The government’s decision to cancel the military merit orders is part of an effort to uphold constitutional values by withdrawing awards that were improperly granted to individuals involved in the December 12 military coup. Earlier, national orders were also revoked for 13 military officers linked to the coup, who had received sentences of three or more years in prison. The ministry clarified that it undertook this action after confirming that the service of these individuals did not meet the criteria for receiving national military orders.
Further steps are being taken by the ministry to ensure the integrity and fairness of national orders, with plans to revoke military orders awarded to three more military officers involved in the 1979 coup. This move reflects the government’s commitment to upholding the honor and impartiality of national awards.
