President Moon Awards 'Samjeonggeom,' the General's Symbol, to 76 Brigadier Generals

Cheongwadae Samjeonggeom Award Ceremony... Tradition of the Commander-in-Chief Presenting the Samjeonggeom Continues

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] On the afternoon of the 16th, President Moon Jae-in awarded the 'Samjeonggeom,' a symbol of generals, to 76 brigadier generals who were promoted at the Blue House's Yeongbingwan. The Samjeonggeom awarding ceremony is usually held every January, but this year’s event was delayed due to COVID-19.

This time, the Samjeonggeom was awarded to 50 Army officers, 11 Navy officers, 12 Air Force officers, and 3 Marine Corps officers. The Blue House explained, "As the commander-in-chief, the president awards the Samjeonggeom to generals upon their promotion to reaffirm their determination and commitment to dedicate themselves to the nation and its people."

The Samjeonggeom is shaped like the royal sword (Saingeom) that kings of the Joseon Dynasty bestowed upon their officials. It was forged by pouring molten metal at a time when the four characters of 'In' (寅), symbolizing the tiger?In year (寅年), In month (寅月), In day (寅日), and In hour (寅時)?overlapped, and then bestowed.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The ceremony was held under the subtitle of General Ahn Jung-geun’s calligraphy, ‘見利思義 見危受命 (Gyeonri Saui Gyeonwi Sumyeong),’ meaning "When seeing immediate benefit, consider if it is just; when seeing the country in danger, give your life."

President Moon said, "The reason for personally awarding the Samjeonggeom to the promoted officers as commander-in-chief is to establish this meaningful event as a proud tradition of the military, symbolizing their oath of loyalty to the nation and its people."

President Moon urged the brigadier generals, "I hope you become generals of the Republic of Korea with strong national defense capabilities and serve as the vanguard of peace on the Korean Peninsula."

Furthermore, President Moon said, "Please demonstrate inclusive leadership without discrimination or exclusion so that soldiers can focus solely on their fundamental duties and combat readiness without other concerns."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Brigadier General Ha Heon-cheol, General Manager of the Vaccine Transport Support Headquarters, who received the Samjeonggeom that day, said, "While escorting vaccines to over 12,000 hospitals nationwide, I realized that dedicating oneself to the nation and its people is truly the path of a soldier."

Navy Basic Military Training Commander Brigadier General Park Tae-gyu said, "I had the experience of traveling to Kazakhstan as part of the government’s working team to bring back General Hong Beom-do’s remains, and it was a heartfelt wish fulfilled to bring him home on Liberation Day this year."

Joint Chiefs of Staff Operations Division 3 Director Brigadier General Kim Jin-oh pledged, "As a member of a strong military that supports peace, I will continuously strive to leave no shortcomings."

Marine Corps Education and Training Commander Brigadier General Jeong Jong-beom said, "Just as our predecessors nurtured today’s strong armed forces despite difficult conditions, we junior generals will do our best to implement proper defense policies."

Army Headquarters Combat Readiness and Safety Director Brigadier General Jeong Jeong-sook stated, "I will strive to realize the spirit of the Samjeonggeom?‘Protection of the Nation, Unification, and Prosperity’?within an organizational culture of gender equality."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.