On November 19, at the Ministry of National Defense Convention Center in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back presented the Samjeong Sword to 89 officers, including those scheduled for promotion* to brigadier general and those promoted** since June 1, 2024.

*Officers selected for promotion to brigadier general in 2024 who are awaiting the issuance of their promotion orders.

** Officers promoted to brigadier general following promotion orders issued on June 1, 2024, among those selected for promotion in 2023 and 2024.

The Samjeong Sword is one of the presidential gifts* that has been presented to key military leaders since 1983. It is intended to encourage newly promoted generals to uphold their loyalty and sense of mission to the nation and its people. The symbolic sword has been awarded to officers promoted to brigadier general since 1987 and is crafted in the style of the Sa-In-Geom.

* Presidential royal gifts to generals include the Samjeong Sword, a command baton, and a ceremonial streamer called suchi. The suchi, a ribbon-like ceremonial streamer, is presented to generals promoted to lieutenant general or higher ranks.

The Samjeong Sword embodies the unified spirit of the Army, Navy, and Air Force working together to achieve national defense, unification, and prosperity.

Until 2017, the Samjeong Sword was awarded to officers promoted to brigadier general by the Minister of National Defense. Since 2018, the President has awarded the swords at an annual ceremony held at the beginning of each year.

The Samjeong Sword presentation ceremony, originally scheduled for early this year and traditionally hosted by the President, was instead held by the Defense Minister as a follow-up measure in response to the emergent martial law.

Due to the President’s overseas travel schedule, his ability to personally present the Samjeong Sword was limited, and the eligible officers had already been unable to receive them for over 10 months. In consideration of the honor of the promoted generals and overall military morale, and reflecting the view that the presentation should not be delayed any further, the Defense Minister, as an exceptional measure for this year, presented the swords on behalf of the President.

At the ceremony, Minister Ahn delivered a congratulatory message to the promoted generals and their families, emphasizing the need to be devoted to the unique mission of the armed forces as the people’s military that upholds constitutional values, and urging them to lead their units in restoring the honor and trust of the military.