The South Korean honors system includes orders of merit, medals of honor, and commendations conferred by the

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed by the Yellow Sea, while its ea ...

n government onto its citizens and foreigners.

Orders and medals

Orders of merit () and medals of honor () are given by the

president of South Korea The president of the Republic of Korea (), also known as the president of South Korea (often abbreviated to POTROK or POSK; ), is the head of state and head of government of the Republic of Korea. The president leads the State Council, and is ...

to people who "rendered distinguished services" to the country. The first honor, the

Grand Order of Mugunghwa The Grand Order of Mugunghwa ( ko, 무궁화대훈장) is the highest order awarded by the government of South Korea. It is awarded to the President of South Korea, and it may be awarded to their spouse, heads or former heads of state of South K ...

, was established in 1949.

Orders of Merit

Order of Merit for National Foundation The Order of Merit for National Foundation (Hangul: 건국훈장) is one of South Korea's orders of merit. It is awarded by the President of South Korea for "outstanding meritorious services in the interest of founding or laying a foundation for ...

Order of Civil Merit The Order of Civil Merit ( es, Orden del Mérito Civil) was established by King Alfonso XIII of Spain in 1926. The order recognizes "the civic virtue of officers in the service of the Nation, as well as extraordinary service by Spanish and forei ...

* Order of Military Merit * Order of Service Merit * Order of National Security Merit *

Order of Diplomatic Service Merit The Order of Diplomatic Service Merit (Hangul: 수교훈장) is one of South Korea's orders of merit. It is awarded by the President of South Korea for "outstanding meritorious services in the interest of enhancing national prestige and promotin ...

Order of Industrial Service Merit The Order of Industrial Service Merit (Hangul: 산업훈장, Hanja: 産業勳章) is an order of merit of South Korea (the Republic of Korea). It is presented to individuals and businesses who have contributed to the development of industry and the ...

Order of Saemaeul Service Merit The Order of Saemaeul Service Merit (Hangul: 새마을훈장, Hanja: 새마을勳章) is an order of merit The Order of Merit (french: link=no, Ordre du Mérite) is an order of merit for the Commonwealth realms, recognising distinguished serv ...

* Order of Cultural Merit * Order of Sports Merit * Order of Science and Technology Merit

Medals of Honor and Presidential Medals

* National Foundation Medal * Civil Merit Medal * Military Merit Medal * Service Merit Medal * National Security Medal * Reserve Forces Medal * Diplomatic Service Medal * Industrial Service Medal * Sarmaeul Service Medal * Cultural Merit Medal * Sports Merit Medal * Science and Technology Medal *

Talent Medal of Korea The Talent Award of Korea ( ko, 대한민국인재상) is an award bestowed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education of Korea from 2014. Until 2013, this was the Talent Medal of Korea, bestowed by the President of the Republic of K ...

(No longer awarded)

Commendations

Commendations () are given to people by the president of South Korea,

prime minister of South Korea The prime minister of the Republic of Korea (PMOTROK or PMOSK; ) is the deputy head of government and the second highest political office of South Korea who is appointed by the President of the Republic of Korea, with the National Assembly's ap ...

, or various government ministries in recognition of acts of public service or excellence in certain fields.

Presidential Commendation

* Presidential Commendation *

Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation The Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation () is a military unit award of the government of South Korea that may be presented to South Korean military units, and foreign military units for outstanding performance in defense of the Republic o ...

Prime Ministerial and Ministerial Medal

by the Prime Minister and same leveled organizations

* Prime Minister's Commendation * Exemplary Public Official Medal * Chairperson of National Election Commission's Commendation

Ministerial Commendations

* Ministerial Commendations * Ministerial Medals

= by the Minister of National Defense

= * Korean War Service Medal * Medal for Participation in Vietnam War (No longer awarded) * Gulf War Participation Medal (No longer awarded) * Medal for 10 Years Faithful Service * Medal for 20 Years Faithful Service *

Medal for 30 Years Faithful Service A medal or medallion is a small portable artistic object, a thin disc, normally of metal, carrying a design, usually on both sides. They typically have a commemorative purpose of some kind, and many are presented as awards. They may be int ...

* Guerrilla Service Medal * Overseas Peacekeeping Medal * 10th Anniversary of Republic of Korea Army Medal (No longer awarded) * 20th Anniversary of Republic of Korea Army Medal (No longer awarded) * 30th Anniversary of Republic of Korea Army Medal (No longer awarded) * 40th Anniversary of Republic of Korea Army Medal (No longer awarded)

= by the Commissioner General of the National Police Agency

= * Police 20 Years Long Service Medal

Titles

New Knowledge Worker of Korea The New Knowledge Worker of Korea or New Knowledge Person (abbreviated to NKWK as the post-nominal) ( ko, 대한민국 신지식인) is a distinction and honorary title in the Republic of Korea awarded personally for exceptional achievements with ne ...

New Knowledge Farmer of Korea The New Knowledge Farmer of Korea (abbreviated to NKFK as the post-nominal) ( ko, 대한민국 신지식농업인) is a distinction and honorary title in the Republic of Korea awarded personally for exceptional achievements with new knowledge inclu ...

* Korean Master Hand

References

External links

Guide to the South Korean honors system
(in Korean)
List of South Korean honors recipients
(in Korean)
The Orders, Medals and Decorations of Korea
{{Decorations by country