The Ministry of National Defense said on the 23rd it has selected 11 service members who refused illegal orders and upheld constitutional values during the "Dec. 3 martial law emergency" and the "death in the line of duty of Marine Corporal Chae" as candidates for government commendations.
The awardees include Marine Col. Park Jeong-hun, Army Col. Jo Seong-hyeon, Army Col. Kim Mun-sang, and Army Lt. Col. Kim Hyeong-gi, who will receive the Order of National Security Merit, Samil Medal. Col. Park, while investigating Corporal Chae's case, refused an illegal directive to withhold the investigative findings, and Col. Jo and Lt. Col. Kim are credited with preventing clashes with the public by not following illegal orders in the early stage of the martial law proclamation. Col. Kim was also recognized for delaying the entry of Special Forces troops into the National Assembly, buying time for the legislature to pass a motion to lift martial law.
In addition, one Army master sergeant will receive the Order of National Security Merit citation, two Army majors and one staff sergeant will receive presidential citations, and one each of a major, a captain, and a master sergeant will receive prime minister's citations. Also, for the Ministry of National Defense minister's commendation, four more people were selected, including two Army majors and two warrant officers.
The Ministry of National Defense said it "considered the symbolism of this being the first commendation for contributing to political neutrality and the protection of constitutional values," adding it "carefully selected the awardees after a multi-pronged review of the operations log, media reports, and interview investigations."
This commendation is separate from special promotions, but with the recent revision to the Enforcement Decree of the Military Personnel Management Act allowing a one-rank special promotion for officers at the rank of colonel and below, there is talk that Cols. Park Jeong-hun and Jo Seong-hyeon may be included among those eligible for promotion.
The Ministry of National Defense said, "With this commendation as a starting point, we will continue to identify and honor true soldiers who refuse unlawful and unjust orders and protect the lives and safety of the people."