Gov't revokes nat'l merit for military officers involved in 1979 military coup | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- The government on Tuesday revoked national orders of military merit awarded to 10 military officers involved in a military coup in 1979 that was led by late former President Chun Doo-hwan, the defense ministry said. Chun, who died in 2021, seized power in the 1979 coup and became president the next year. "The measure is aimed at defending constitutional values by revoking the military merit order that were unlawfully and unfairly awarded to people who played major roles in the Dec. 12 military coup," the ministry said in a release. Chun Doo-hwan on Dec. 12, 1979, taken two days after the incident. (Yonhap) mlee@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #military coup #national merit Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director (3rd LD) About 40,000 fans gather for BTS comeback concert in downtown Seoul Most Saved Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) N. Korea's Kim reappointed as president of state affairs prev Gov't revokes nat'l merit for military officers involved in 1979 military coup Next Gov't revokes nat'l merit for military officers involved in 1979 military coup

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SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- The government on Tuesday revoked national orders of military merit awarded to 10 military officers involved in a military coup in 1979 that was led by late former President Chun Doo-hwan, the defense ministry said.
Under the motion approved in a Cabinet meeting held earlier in the day, the Chungmu Order of Military Merit awards for the 10 individuals who played key roles in the military coup led by then Maj. Gen. Chun on Dec. 12, 1979, have been canceled, according to the ministry.
Chun, who died in 2021, seized power in the 1979 coup and became president the next year.
"The measure is aimed at defending constitutional values by revoking the military merit order that were unlawfully and unfairly awarded to people who played major roles in the Dec. 12 military coup," the ministry said in a release.
The government earlier revoked national orders awarded to 13 military officers involved in the 1979 coup, who were sentenced to three or more years in jail, but others had kept their orders as their cases did not meet the requirements for revocation despite criticism over their action.
The ministry said it pushed for the revocation after verifying their service did not meet the conditions for receiving national military orders, adding it will continue to take such measures going forward to ensure the honor and fairness of national orders.
It is reportedly in the process of seeking to revoke military orders presented to three other military officers involved in the 1979 coup.
This photo, filed Dec. 11, 2010, shows a photo of senior military officers who took part in a military coup led by then Maj. Gen. Chun Doo-hwan on Dec. 12, 1979, taken two days after the incident. (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)
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Gov't revokes nat'l merit for military officers involved in 1979 military coup

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- The government earlier revoked national orders awarded to 13 military officers involved in the 1979 coup, who were sentenced to three or more years in jail, but others had kept their orders as their cases did not meet the requirements for revocation despite criticism over their action.
- Chun Doo-hwan on Dec. 12, 1979, taken two days after the incident. (Yonhap) mlee@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #military coup #national merit Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director (3rd LD) About 40,000 fans gather for BTS comeback concert in downtown Seoul Most Saved Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) N.

### Implications
- The ministry said it pushed for the revocation after verifying their service did not meet the conditions for receiving national military orders, adding it will continue to take such measures going forward to ensure the honor and fairness of national orders.
- Chun Doo-hwan on Dec. 12, 1979, taken two days after the incident. (Yonhap) mlee@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #military coup #national merit Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director (3rd LD) About 40,000 fans gather for BTS comeback concert in downtown Seoul Most Saved Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) N.
- Korea 'most hostile' nation (LEAD) Gov't to strictly enforce five-day vehicle rotation system for public sector (2nd LD) N.
- Korea as 'most hostile' nation (LEAD) Lee stresses self-reliant defense, citing 'very complex' global situation Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos N.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers military, coup, korea topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 577.