South Korean Government Revokes Military Honors for 1979 Coup Officers
Synopsis
In a significant move, the South Korean government has rescinded military merit awards for ten officers linked to the 1979 coup led by Chun Doo-hwan, aiming to uphold constitutional values and justice within military honors.
Key Takeaways
Revocation of Honors: The South Korean government has annulled military awards for ten officers linked to the 1979 coup.
Constitutional Values: This move aims to uphold constitutional integrity and rectify past injustices.
Prior Revocations: Previous revocations included honors for 13 officers sentenced to prison.
Further Actions: The government is also seeking to revoke honors for three additional officers involved.
Public Criticism: The revocations come amidst public outcry over past military actions.
Seoul, March 24 (NationPress) — On Tuesday, the South Korean administration announced the revocation of national military merit honors previously granted to ten military officers implicated in the 1979 coup, which was orchestrated by the late former President Chun Doo-hwan, as stated by the defense ministry.
The decision, which was ratified during a Cabinet meeting earlier that day, annulled the Chungmu Order of Military Merit for these ten individuals who were instrumental in the coup led by then-Maj. Gen. Chun on December 12, 1979, according to the ministry's announcement.
Chun, who passed away in 2021, assumed control of the nation following the coup and was elected president the subsequent year.
"This action aims to uphold the values of our constitution by rescinding military merit awards that were granted unlawfully and unjustly to those who were pivotal in the December 12 military coup," the ministry noted in an official statement.
Previously, the government had revoked national orders from 13 military officers linked to the 1979 coup, all of whom received sentences of three years or more in prison. However, others retained their honors as their cases did not qualify for revocation, despite widespread criticism regarding their actions, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
The ministry has asserted that it pursued this revocation after confirming that the service records of these officers did not meet the criteria for receiving national military honors. It further committed to continuing such actions in the future to preserve the integrity and fairness of national awards.
Additionally, efforts are reportedly underway to annul military honors granted to three other military officers associated with the 1979 coup.
Point of View
The revocation of military honors for those involved in the 1979 coup reflects a commitment to justice and accountability. It underscores the necessity of upholding constitutional values and rectifying past injustices in South Korea's military history.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the military honors revoked?
The military honors were revoked to defend constitutional values and to rectify the unlawful awards given to officers involved in the 1979 coup.
Who was involved in the 1979 coup?
The coup was led by then-Maj. Gen. Chun Doo-hwan and involved several military officers who played key roles in seizing power.
What is the Chungmu Order of Military Merit?
The Chungmu Order of Military Merit is a South Korean military honor awarded for distinguished service in the armed forces.
Has the government revoked honors for other officers?
Yes, previously, the government revoked honors from 13 officers who received prison sentences for their roles in the coup.
What steps will the government take next?
The government is reportedly seeking to revoke military honors from three additional officers involved in the coup.
