AWARDS AND DECORATIONS ACT
Wholly Amended by Act No. 1885, Jan. 16, 1967
Amended by Act No. 2282, Jan. 14, 1971
Act No. 2447, Jan. 25, 1973
Act No. 4017, Aug. 5, 1988
Act No. 4222, Jan. 13, 1990
Act No. 5454, Dec. 13, 1997
Act No. 5681, Jan. 21, 1999
Act No. 5713, Jan. 29, 1999
Act No. 6342, Jan. 8, 2001
Act No. 7657, Aug. 4, 2005
Act No. 8852, Feb. 29, 2008
Act No. 10985, Aug. 4, 2011
Act No. 11393, Mar. 21, 2012
Act No. 11690, Mar. 23, 2013
Act No. 12844, Nov. 19, 2014
Act No. 14839, Jul. 26, 2017
Act No. 16765, Dec. 10, 2019
The purpose of this Act is to prescribe matters relating to the conferment of awards and decorations on nationals of the Republic of Korea or foreigners who have rendered distinguished services to the Republic of Korea.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 2 (Principles of Decoration) |
Orders and medals of the Republic of Korea shall be conferred on nationals of the Republic of Korea or allies who have rendered distinguished services to the Republic of Korea.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 3 (Standards for Decoration) |
Decoration shall be established in consideration of the merits of persons to be decorated with orders, the scope of effects of such merits on the State and communities, and other considerations. <Amended on Dec. 10, 2019>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 4 (Prohibition against Double Decoration) |
No order or medal shall be conferred double for one and the same merit.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 5 (Recommendations for Decoration) |
| (1) | Recommendations for decoration shall be made by the head of a central administrative agency (including the heads of agencies under direct jurisdiction of the President and the Prime Minister), the Secretary General of the National Assembly, the Minister of the National Court Administration, the Secretary General of the Constitutional Court and the Secretary General of the National Election Commission. |
| (2) | Recommendations for decoration which do not belong to the jurisdiction of a person entitled to make recommendations under paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as a "person entitled to make recommendations for decoration") shall be made by the Minister of the Interior and Safety. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Nov. 19, 2014; Jul. 26, 2017; Dec. 10, 2019> |
| (3) | Recommendations for decoration shall be made based on the examination of merits, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 6 Deleted. <Jan. 29, 1999> |
| Article 7 (Determination of Decoration) |
| (1) | When a decoration is recommended pursuant to Article 5, the Minister of the Interior and Safety shall submit a proposal on decoration to the State Council. |
| (2) | Persons to be decorated with orders shall be determined by the President upon deliberation on a proposal on decoration under paragraph (1) by the State Council. |
[This Article Wholly Amended on Dec. 10, 2019]
| Article 8 (Revocation of Decoration) |
| (1) | If a person decorated with an order or a medal falls under any of the following subparagraphs, the relevant decoration shall be revoked and thus his or her order or medal and other related articles and money granted as a supplementary prize shall be recovered: <Amended on Dec. 10, 2019> |
| 1. | Where the relevant merits are found to be false; |
| 2. | Where he or she is convicted of a crime against the national security or flees to a hostile country after having committed such crime; |
| 3. | Where he or she is sentenced to death or to imprisonment with or without labor for life or for not less than one year and the sentence becomes final and conclusive. |
| (2) | The revocation of decoration, the recovery of an order, medal, etc. pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be subject to deliberation by the State Council. <Amended on Dec. 10, 2019> |
| (3) | If a person decorated with an order or a medal falls under any ground referred to in any subparagraph of paragraph (1), a person entitled to make recommendations for decoration shall ask the Minister of the Interior and Safety to submit a proposal on the revocation of decoration and the Minister shall submit the proposal to the State Council unless there is a compelling reason not to do so: Provided, That even without a request by a person entitled to make recommendations for decoration, the Minister may submit a proposal on the revocation of decoration to the State Council after verifying from deliberation as prescribed by Presidential Decree that a person decorated with an order or a medal falls under any ground in any subparagraph of paragraph (1). <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Nov. 19, 2014; Jul. 26, 2017; Dec. 10, 2019> |
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 8-2 (Publication of Decoration) |
Where a decoration is determined or revoked pursuant to Article 7 or Article 8, the relevant person and any ground for such determination or revocation shall be published on an Official Gazette within 60 days from the date such decoration is determined or revoked. <Amended on Dec. 10, 2019> | (2) | Where a person for whom the decoration has been cancelled pursuant to Article 8 fails to return an order, medal, etc., received within the period, the Minister of the Interior and Safety may enter the name of the person in the register of persons not returning the decoration, and publish such name in the Official Gazette and the website of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. <Newly Inserted on Dec. 10, 2019> |
| (9) | Where matters disclosed in the Official Gazette and the website of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety under paragraphs (1) and (2) falls under any of the subparagraphs of Article 9 (1) of the Official Information Disclosure Act, the Minister of the Interior and Safety shall be allowed not to disclose the matters to the public. <Newly Inserted by Dec. 10, 2019> |
[This Article Newly Inserted on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 9 (Classification of Orders) |
The kinds of orders shall be as follows:
| 1. | The Grand Order of Mugunghwa; |
| 2. | The Order of Merit for National Foundation; |
| 3. | The Order of Civil Merit; |
| 4. | The Order of Military Merit; |
| 5. | The Order of Service Merit; |
| 6. | The Order of National Security Merit; |
| 7. | The Order of Diplomatic Service Merit; |
| 8. | The Order of Industrial Service Merit; |
| 9. | The Order of Saemaeul Service Merit; |
| 10. | The Order of Cultural Merit; |
| 11. | The Order of Sports Merit; |
| 12. | The Order of Science and Technology Merit. |
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 10 (Grand Order of Mugunghwa) |
The Grand Order of Mugunghwa, which is the highest order of the Republic of Korea, shall be awarded to the President of the Republic of Korea, and may also be awarded to the spouse of the President, the head of an ally or his or her spouse, or the former head of an ally or his or her spouse who has rendered outstanding meritorious services in the interest of promoting the development and security of the Republic of Korea.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 11 (Order of Merit for National Foundation) |
The Order of Merit for National Foundation, which consists of five grades, shall be awarded to a person who has rendered outstanding meritorious services in the interest of founding or laying a foundation for the Republic of Korea.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 12 (Order of Civil Merit) |
The Order of Civil Merit, which consists of five grades, shall be awarded to a person who has rendered outstanding meritorious services in the area of politics, economy, society, education, art or science in the interest of improving citizens' welfare and promoting national development.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 13 (Order of Military Merit) |
The Order of Military Merit, which consists of five grades, shall be awarded to a person who has rendered outstanding military services by participating in an action in time of war or in quasi-state of war or by performing his or her duty equivalent to combat, such as responding to the attack of an enemy in a contact area.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 14 (Order of Service Merit) |
The Order of Service Merit, which consists of five grades, shall be awarded to a public official (excluding a serviceperson and a civilian employee; hereinafter the same shall apply), a private school teacher (including a teacher of a lifelong educational establishment, the educational attainment of which is recognized, to which the regulations on teachers of national and private schools apply mutatis mutandis under Article 31 (3) of the Lifelong Education Act; hereinafter the same shall apply), or an employee of a special post office under Article 2 of the Special Post Offices Act who has rendered outstanding meritorious services by applying himself or herself to his or her duties.<Amended on Mar. 21, 2012> [This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 15 (Order of National Security Merit) |
The Order of National Security Merit, which consists of five grades, shall be awarded to a person who has rendered outstanding meritorious services in the interest of national security.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 16 (Order of Diplomatic Service Merit) |
| (1) | The Order of Diplomatic Service Merit, which consists of five grades, shall be awarded to a person who has rendered outstanding meritorious services in the interest of enhancing national prestige and promoting amity with allies. |
| (2) | Newly appointed diplomatic officials, government representatives, special missions and their suites recognized as necessary by the Government, who proceed to their posts, shall wear the Orders of Diplomatic Service Merit in diplomatic events as formal decorations to maintain their dignity. <Amended on Dec. 10, 2019> |
| (3) | Standards for classification of the orders worn as formal decorations in accordance with paragraph (2) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 17 (Order of Industrial Service Merit) |
The Order of Industrial Service Merit, which consists of five grades, shall be awarded to a person who has rendered outstanding meritorious services in the interest of developing the national industries.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 17-2 (Order of Saemaeul Service Merit) |
The Order of Saemaeul Service Merit, which consists of five grades, shall be awarded to a person who has rendered outstanding meritorious services in the interest of developing the nation and society through the Saemaeul Movement.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 17-3 (Order of Cultural Merit) |
The Order of Cultural Merit, which consists of five grades, shall be awarded to a person who has rendered outstanding meritorious services in the fields of culture and art in the interest of promoting the national culture and national development.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 17-4 (Order of Sports Merit) |
The Order of Sports Merit, which consists of five grades, shall be awarded to a person who has rendered outstanding meritorious services in the field of sports in the interest of improving national sports and promoting national development.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 17-5 (Order of Science and Technology Merit) |
The Order of Science and Technology Merit, which consists of five grades, shall be awarded to a person who has rendered outstanding meritorious services in the interest of developing science and technology.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 18 (Titles of Denominations of Orders by Grades) |
The titles of denominations of orders by grades under Articles 11 through 17 and Articles 17-2 through 17-5 shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. [This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 19 (Classification of Medals) |
The kinds of medals, which are subordinate in grade to orders, shall be as follows:
| 1. | National Foundation Medal; |
| 5. | National Security Medal; |
| 7. | Diplomatic Service Medal; |
| 8. | Industrial Service Medal; |
| 9. | Saemaeul Service Medal; |
| 10. | Cultural Merit Medal; |
| 12. | Science and Technology Merit Medal. |
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 20 (National Foundation Medal) |
The National Foundation Medal shall be awarded to a person who has devotedly rendered outstanding meritorious services in the interest of founding or laying a foundation for the Republic of Korea.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 21 (Civil Merit Medal) |
The Civil Merit Medal shall be awarded to a person who has rendered outstanding meritorious services in the interest of developing politics, economy, society, education, art or science, or who has risked his or her life to save lives of people or protect their property, done good deed such as donating a fortune, or otherwise rendered outstanding meritorious services in the interest of promoting citizens' welfare while engaged in public service. <Amended on Dec. 10, 2019>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 22 (Military Merit Medal) |
The Military Merit Medal shall be awarded to a person who has devotedly rendered outstanding meritorious services in the interest of the national defense.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 23 (Service Merit Medal) |
The Service Merit Medal shall be awarded to a public official, private school teacher, or an employee of a special post office under Article 2 of the Special Post Offices Act who has rendered outstanding meritorious services by applying himself/herself to his or her duties in the interest of promoting national interests and citizens' welfare. <Amended on Mar. 21, 2012; Dec. 10, 2019> [This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 24 (National Security Medal and Reserve Forces Medal) |
| (1) | The National Security Medal shall be awarded to a person who has rendered outstanding meritorious services in the interest of guaranteeing national security and maintaining the public peace and order or risked his or her own life to rescue another's life and property. <Amended on Dec. 10, 2019> |
| (2) | The Reserve Forces Medal shall be awarded to a person who has rendered outstanding meritorious services in the interest of fostering and developing the reserve forces or applied himself/herself to his or her duties while serving in the reserves. |
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 25 (Diplomatic Service Medal) |
The Diplomatic Service Medal shall be awarded to a person who has rendered outstanding meritorious services in the interest of expanding national prestige and promoting amity with allies or contributed greatly to enhancing national prestige.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 26 (Industrial Service Medal) |
The Industrial Service Medal shall be awarded to a person who has contributed to industrial development and growth, or rendered outstanding meritorious services by applying himself/herself to his or her business, or to an employee working in a factory, place of business or other place of employment who has rendered outstanding meritorious services in the interest of national development by applying himself/herself to his or her duties.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 26-2 (Saemaeul Service Medal) |
The Saemaeul Service Medal shall be awarded to a person who has rendered outstanding meritorious services in the interest of developing communities and promoting the welfare of residents by embodying Saemaeul spirits through the Saemaeul Movement.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 26-3 (Cultural Merit Medal) |
The Cultural Merit Medal shall be awarded to a person who has rendered outstanding meritorious services in the interest of developing culture, or enhancing national prestige, through cultural and artistic activities.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 26-4 (Sports Merit Medal) |
The Sports Merit Medal shall be awarded to a person who has rendered outstanding meritorious services in the interest of developing national sports, or enhancing national prestige, through sports activities.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 26-5 (Science and Technology Merit Medal) |
The Science and Technology Merit Medal shall be awarded to a person who has rendered outstanding meritorious services in the interest of developing science and technology, or enhancing national prestige, through research and development activities, etc. in science and technology.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 27 (Types and Standards) |
| (1) | The Grand Order of Mugunghwa shall consist of an insignia worn around the neck, a badge affixed to sash worn over the shoulder and a star, with a ribbon and a lapel badge as necessary. |
| (2) | The first grade order shall be made to be affixed to sash worn over the shoulder. |
| (3) | The second and third grade orders shall be made to be affixed to sash worn around the neck: Provided, That the second grade Order of Merit for National Foundation and Order of Diplomatic Service Merit shall be made to be affixed to sash worn over the shoulder. |
| (4) | The fourth and fifth grade orders shall be made to be affixed to sash worn on the breast. |
| (5) | The orders referred to in paragraphs (2) through (4) shall consist of badges, stars, ribbons, and lapel badges: Provided, That the third (excluding the Order of Merit for National Foundation), fourth and fifth grade orders shall not be accompanied by stars. |
| (6) | The medals, which consist of badges, ribbons and lapel badges, shall be made to be affixed to sash worn on the breast. |
| (7) | Matters regarding the types, dimensions and colors of and materials for badges, stars, ribbons, lapel badges, insignia worn around the neck, and sashes under paragraphs (1) through (6) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (8) | The types and standards of the Orders of Science and Technology Merit and the Science and Technology Merit Medals may be prescribed separately by Presidential Decree, notwithstanding paragraphs (2) through (7). |
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 28 Deleted. <Jan. 29, 1999> |
| Article 29 (Conferment of Orders and Medals) |
In principle, orders and medals shall be bestowed by the President himself or herself, but if there exists any special reason not to do so, they may be delivered in a different manner, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 30 (Conferment by Proxy) |
| (1) | The Minister of National Defense may bestow the second grade or lower Order of Military Merit on behalf of the President if it is inevitable in time of war or in quasi-state of war: Provided, That this shall not apply to the second grade Order of Military Merit except in time of war. |
| (2) | If the Minister of National Defense is unable to bestow the Order on behalf of the President pursuant to paragraph (1), he or she may delegate the bestowal thereof to the Chief of the General Staff of the army, navy or air forces, the commander of the marine corps, the commander of an army, the commander of an army corps or a division commander. |
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 31 (Post Approval for Conferment by Proxy) |
When the Minister of National Defense has bestowed the Order of Military Merit by proxy under Article 30, he or she shall prepare a detailed statement of the relevant merits without delay, and obtain approval therefor from the President after deliberation by the State Council. [This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 32 (Supplementary Prizes) |
A supplementary prize may be awarded to a recipient of an order.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 33 (Receipt by Survivor or Proxy) |
If a person entitled to receive an order is deceased or cannot receive such order in person due to any accident, his or her survivor or proxy may receive it in place of such person.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| (1) | An order may only be worn by a person awarded such order in his or her lifetime and, after his or her death, it shall be kept by his or her survivors, who may not wear such order. |
| (2) | Matters necessary for the wearing of orders shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 35 Deleted. <Jan. 29, 1999> |
| Article 36 (Reissuance of Orders and Medals) |
| (1) | If a recipient of an order or a medal loses or damages it, he or she may have it reissued at his or her own expense, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (2) | Matters necessary for the reissuance of orders or medals shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 37 (Issuance of Orders and Medals for Display) |
Orders and medals to be used for education or exhibition in a museum, library or educational institution may be separately manufactured and issued by the Government.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 38 (Submission of Materials and Penalty Provisions) |
| (1) | A person entitled to make recommendations for decoration may request the submission of records or documents necessary to verify the details of merits. |
| (2) | A person who prepares and submits false records or documents referred to in paragraph (1) or falsely records or documents submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) in the data for the public interest examination with intent to receive or prevent a decoration shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than five years or by a fine not exceeding 50 million won. |
[This Article Newly Inserted on Dec. 10, 2019]
| Article 39 (Penalty Provisions) |
If any person (including his or her survivors) who is not awarded an order or a medal wears such order or medal, he or she shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than six months or by a fine not exceeding five million won.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 40 (Penalty Provisions) |
Any person who manufactures or sells an order or a medal without entering into a contract therefor with the Government shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than one year or by a fine not exceeding 10 million won.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 4, 2011]
| Article 41 Deleted. <Jan. 8, 2001> |
ADDENDA <Act No. 1885, Jan. 16, 1967>
| (1) | (Enforcement Date) This Act shall enter into force three months after the date of its promulgation. |
| (2) | (Transitional Measures) The first class Order of Merit for National Foundation shall be regarded as the first grade Order of Merit for National Foundation, the second class Order of Merit for National Foundation as the second grade Order of Merit for National Foundation, the third class Order of Merit for National Foundation as the third grade Order of Merit for National Foundation, the Republic of Korea Order of Cultural Merit as the first grade Order of Civil Merit, the Presidential Order of Cultural Merit as the second grade Order of Civil Merit, the National Order of Cultural Merit as the third grade Order of Civil Merit, the Taegeuk Order of Military Merit as the first grade Order of Military Merit, the Eulji Order of Military Merit as the second grade Order of Military Merit, the Chungmu Order of Military Merit as the third grade Order of Military Merit, the Hwarang Order of Military Merit as the fourth grade Order of Military Merit, the Inheon Order of Military Merit as the fifth grade Order of Military Merit, the Blue Stripes Order of Service Merit as the first grade Order of Service Merit, the Yellow Stripes Order of Service Merit as the second grade Order of Service Merit, the Red Stripes Order of Service Merit as the third grade Order of Service Merit, the Green Stripes Order of Service Merit as the fourth grade Order of Service Merit, the Aquamarine Stripes Order of Service Merit as the fifth grade Order of Service Merit, the first class Distinguished Service Order as the first grade Order of National Security Merit, the second class Distinguished Service Order as the second grade Order of National Security Merit, the third class Distinguished Service Order as the third grade Order of National Security Merit, the fourth class Distinguished Service Order as the fourth grade Order of National Security Merit, the fifth class Distinguished Service Order as the fifth grade Order of National Security Merit, the first class Order of Diplomatic Service Merit as the first grade Order of Diplomatic Service Merit, the second class Order of Diplomatic Service Merit as the second grade Order of Diplomatic Service Merit, the third class Order of Diplomatic Service Merit as the third grade Order of Diplomatic Service Merit, the fourth class Order of Diplomatic Service Merit as the fourth grade Order of Diplomatic Service Merit, the fifth class Order of Diplomatic Service Merit as the fifth grade Order of Diplomatic Service Merit, the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit as the first grade Order of Industrial Service Merit, the Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit as the second grade Order of Industrial Service Merit, and the Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit as the third grade Order of Industrial Service Merit, each of which is conferred before this Act enters into force. |
| (3) | (Transitional Measures) The National Foundation Medal shall be regarded as the National Foundation Medal, the Defense Merit Medal which is awarded to a person who has rendered distinguished military services in battle as the Military Merit Medal, the Defense Merit Medal which is awarded to a person who has rendered outstanding meritorious services in the interest of guaranteeing national security and maintaining the public peace and order as the National Security Medal, the Cultural Merit Medal and Public Service Medal as the Civil Merit Medal, the Endeavor Medal as the Service Merit Medal, and the Increase of Productions Medal and the Labor Medal as the Industrial Service Medals, each of which is conferred before this Act enters into force. |
| (4) | (Transitional Measures) Any person who was determined to be decorated with an order before this Act enters into force but failed to receive the relevant order as at the time this Act enters into force shall be awarded the order pursuant to this Act. |
| (5) | (Transitional Measures) Any order which is made before this Act enters into force, but cannot be bestowed due to the change in the type of orders shall be kept in the Ministry of Government Administration for purposes of research into the decoration system. |
ADDENDA <Act No. 2282, Jan. 14, 1971>
| (1) | (Enforcement Date) This Act shall enter into force three months after the date of its promulgation. |
| (2) | (Transitional Measures) The first class Order of Merit for National Foundation shall be regarded as the first grade Order of Merit for National Foundation, the second class Order of Merit for National Foundation as the second grade Order of Merit for National Foundation, the third class Order of Merit for National Foundation as the third grade Order of Merit for National Foundation, the Republic of Korea Order of Cultural Merit as the first grade Order of Civil Merit, the Presidential Order of Cultural Merit as the second grade Order of Civil Merit, the National Order of Cultural Merit as the third grade Order of Civil Merit, the Taegeuk Order of Military Merit as the first grade Order of Military Merit, the Eulji Order of Military Merit as the second grade Order of Military Merit, the Chungmu Order of Military Merit as the third grade Order of Military Merit, the Hwarang Order of Military Merit as the fourth grade Order of Military Merit, the Inheon Order of Military Merit as the fifth grade Order of Military Merit, the Blue Stripes Order of Service Merit as the first grade Order of Service Merit, the Yellow Stripes Order of Service Merit as the second grade Order of Service Merit, the Red Stripes Order of Service Merit as the third grade Order of Service Merit, the Green Stripes Order of Service Merit as the fourth grade Order of Service Merit, the Aquamarine Stripes Order of Service Merit as the fifth grade Order of Service Merit, the first class Distinguished Service Order as the first grade Order of National Security Merit, the second class Distinguished Service Order as the second grade Order of National Security Merit, the third class Distinguished Service Order as the third grade Order of National Security Merit, the fourth class Distinguished Service Order as the fourth grade Order of National Security Merit, the fifth class Distinguished Service Order as the fifth grade Order of National Security Merit, the first class Order of Diplomatic Service Merit as the first grade Order of Diplomatic Service Merit, the second class Order of Diplomatic Service Merit as the second grade Order of Diplomatic Service Merit, the third class Order of Diplomatic Service Merit as the third grade Order of Diplomatic Service Merit, the fourth class Order of Diplomatic Service Merit as the fourth grade Order of Diplomatic Service Merit, the fifth class Order of Diplomatic Service Merit as the fifth grade Order of Diplomatic Service Merit, the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit as the first grade Order of Industrial Service Merit, the Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit as the second grade Order of Industrial Service Merit, and the Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit as the third grade Order of Industrial Service Merit, each of which is conferred before this Act enters into force. |
| (3) | (Transitional Measures) The National Foundation Medal shall be regarded as the National Foundation Medal, the Defense Merit Medal which is awarded to a person who has rendered distinguished military services in battle as the Military Merit Medal, the Defense Merit Medal which is awarded to a person who has rendered outstanding meritorious services in the interest of guaranteeing national security and maintaining the public peace and order as the National Security Medal, the Cultural Merit Medal and Public Service Medal as the Civil Merit Medal, the Endeavor Medal as the Service Merit Medal, and the Increase of Productions Medal and the Labor Medal as the Industrial Service Medals, each of which is conferred before this Act enters into force. |
| (4) | (Transitional Measures) Any person who was determined to be decorated with an order before this Act enters into force but failed to receive the relevant order as at the time this Act enters into force shall be awarded the order pursuant to this Act. |
| (5) | (Transitional Measures) Any order which is made before this Act enters into force, but cannot be bestowed due to the change in the type of orders shall be kept in the Ministry of Government Administration for purposes of research into the decoration system. |
ADDENDUM <Act No. 2282, Jan. 14, 1971>
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Act No. 2447, Jan. 25, 1973>
The enforcement date of this Act shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
ADDENDA <Act No. 4017, Aug. 5, 1988>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force on September 1, 1988. (Proviso Omitted.)
Articles 2 through 8 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 4222, Jan. 13, 1990>
| (1) | (Enforcement Date) This Act shall enter into force three months after the date of its promulgation. |
| (2) | (Transitional Measures) The National Foundation Medal or the Presidential Citation for the merits of independence which is conferred before this Act enters into force may, through reexamination, be substituted by the fourth or fifth grade Order of Merit for National Foundation under the amended provisions of Article 11 or by the National Foundation Medal. |
ADDENDUM <Act No. 5454, Dec. 13, 1997>
This Act shall enter into force on January 1, 1998. (Proviso Omitted.)
ADDENDA <Act No. 5681, Jan. 21, 1999>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
Articles 2 through 4 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 5713, Jan. 29, 1999>
| (1) | (Enforcement Date) This Act shall enter into force one year after the date of its promulgation. |
| (2) | (Transitional Measures) Recommendations for a decoration made by the Chairperson of the National Election Commission under the previous provisions as at the time this Act enters into force shall be deemed made by the Secretary General of the National Election Commission under this Act. |
ADDENDUM <Act No. 6342, Jan. 8, 2001>
This Act shall enter into force on April 1, 2001.
ADDENDUM <Act No. 7657, Aug. 4, 2005>
This Act shall enter into force three months after the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Act No. 8852, Feb. 29, 2008>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. (Proviso Omitted.)
Articles 2 through 7 Omitted.
ADDENDUM <Act No. 10985, Aug. 4, 2011>
This Act shall enter into force three months after the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Act No. 11393, Mar. 21, 2012>
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Act No. 11690, Mar. 23, 2013>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
| (1) | This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. |
Articles 2 through 7 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 12844, Nov. 19, 2014>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation: Provided, That among the Acts amended pursuant to Article 6 of this Addenda, amended parts of the Acts which were promulgated before this Act enters into force but the enforcement dates of which have not arrived, shall enter into force on the enforcement date of the relevant Act, respectively. Articles 2 through 7 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 14839, Jul. 26, 2017>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation: Provided, That among the Acts amended pursuant to Article 5 of this Addenda, amended parts of the Acts which were promulgated before this Act enters into force but the enforcement dates of which have not arrived, shall enter into force on the enforcement date of the relevant Act, respectively. Articles 2 through 6 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 16765, Dec. 10, 2019>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force three months after the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Applicability to Entry in, and Disclosure of, List of Persons Who Have Not Returned Decoration)
The amended provisions of Article 8-2 shall also apply to a person whose decoration was revoked before this Act enters into force, but who has not returned an order or medal as at the time when this Act enters into force. Article 3 (Transitional Measures concerning Revocation of Decoration)
Where a person who was decorated with an order or a medal before this Act enters into force commits a crime , the former provisions shall apply, notwithstanding the amended provisions of Article 8-1 (3).