A former teacher who had refused a medal from former President Yoon Suk-yeol received a medal from President Lee Jae-myung after three years.
Gil Jun-yong, former principal of Buseok Middle School in Seosan, revealed on Feb. 28 on his Facebook page, "I received today (the 28th) from the South Chungcheong Provincial Office of Education the Order of Civil Merit that I refused three years ago when I retired," and posted a photo of the medal certificate.
Former Principal Gil, as he wrapped up his teaching career at the end of Feb. 2023, refused to accept the Green Stripes Order of Service Merit from the Yoon Suk-yeol administration at the time. The Green Stripes Order of Service Merit is awarded to public servants and teachers who have contributed to the development of the state and society.
Submitting a letter of renunciation, Former Principal Gil said, "It is impossible for me to accept the three names that would be printed on the medal certificate." At the time, the certificate carried the names of former President Yoon, former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, and former Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) Minister Lee Sang-min.
Former Principal Gil said, "As I receive the medal certificate engraved with President Lee's name instead of Yoon Suk-yeol's, I have mixed feelings," adding, "I thank President Lee for remembering the refusal of the medal and, after taking office, moving to re-award it. I support the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration."
In a Cabinet meeting in Jul. last year, President Lee instructed the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to conduct a full review of those who had refused medals under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration and examine whether the medals could be re-awarded. As a result, the medal certificate Former Principal Gil has now received bears the names of President Lee, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, and Ministry of the Interior and Safety Minister Yoon Ho-jung.