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The Order of Saemaeul Service Merit

The Order of Saemaeul Service Merit (새마을훈장 in Korean) is an order of merit of South Korea, presented to individuals who contributed to the social development of the country through the New Community Movement.

Also known as the New Community MovementNew Village MovementSaemaul Movement or Saema’eul Movement, this was a political initiative launched on April 22, 1970 by South Korean president Park Chung-hee to modernize the rural South Korean economy. It was based on the Korean traditional communalism called Hyangyak (향약, 鄕約) and Doorae (두레), which provided the rules for self-governance and cooperation in traditional Korean communities.

The Order of Saemaeul Service Merit is divided into five classes:

  • ROK Order of Saemaeul Service Merit (1st Class) Jarip Medal.png Jarip Medal: 자립장 (自立章)
  • ROK Order of Saemaeul Service Merit (2nd Class) Jajo Medal.png Jajo Medal: 자조장 (自助章)
  • ROK Order of Saemaeul Service Merit (3rd Class) Hyeopdong Medal.png Hyeopdong Medal: 협동장 (協同章)
  • ROK Order of Saemaeul Service Merit (4th Class) Geunmyeon Medal.png Geunmyeon Medal: 근면장 (勤勉章)
  • ROK Order of Saemaeul Service Merit (5th Class) Noryeok Medal.png Noryeok Medal: 노력장 (努力章)

The Order of Saemaeul Service Merit Design

The ribbon of the order is light green with a different number of thin red stripes on the sides depending on the class.

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