Order of Military Merit (South Korea)
The Order of Military Merit is the primary military decoration awarded by the South Korean government.
It is awarded to a person who rendered "outstanding military services by participating in an action in time of war or in quasi-state of war or by performing his/her duty equivalent to combat, such as responding to the attack of an enemy in a contact area."
History
On 18 October 1950, law about Order of Military Merit was enacted.Original names are as follows:
- First Class Order of Military Merit,
- Second Class Order of Military Merit,
- Third Class Order of Military Merit,
- Fourth Class Order of Military Merit
- Taegeuk Order of Military Merit,
- Eulji Order of Military Merit,
- Chungmu Order of Military Merit,
- Hwarang Order of Military Merit
Classes and Grades
The Order of Military Merit is awarded in five classes and each of these has three grades. In descending order of rank, the classes are: Taegeuk, Eulji, Chungmu, Hwarang and Inheon.Taegeuk, Eulji, Chungmu, Hwarang had a first, second or third grade, denoted respectively by a gold star, silver star, or an unadorned ribbon.
For example, Gold Star Taegeuk, Silver Star Taegeuk, or Unadorned Taegeuk.
Since 1964, there are only five classes authorized as below.
| Class | Name | Namesake | Ribbon |
| 1st | Taegeuk | Taegeuk | |
| 2nd | Eulji | Eulji Mundeok | |
| 3rd | Chungmu | Yi Sun-sin | |
| 4th | Hwarang | Hwarang | |
| 5th | Inheon | Gang Gam-chan |
Notable recipients
※ Date: Date is on the certificate document or on database is prior to date of conferment ceremony.※ Rank: As of awarded date
※ indicates that the recipient was killed in action.