The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs is looking for descendants of independence activists who were awarded national honors but have not yet received them due to unverified family ties.
If you believe you may be a descendant, you can apply with documents such as a family register or genealogy records. Once verified, the medal will be formally presented.
For more information, please call ☎1577-0606.

Meritorious Service Record

Charles Spalding Thomas was a U.S. Senator from Colorado who advocated for Korean independence by introducing a resolution in the Senate and serving as special advisor to the Korean delegation at the Washington Naval Conference.
In October 1919, Thomas delivered a speech in the U.S. Senate addressing the Korean independence issue.
In March 1920, he introduced a resolution in the Senate calling for Korea’s independence, although the resolution was defeated by a vote of 34 to 46.
In August 1921, Thomas was appointed as special advisor to the Korean delegation at the Washington Naval Conference. He petitioned the U.S. President and the American delegation at the conference to include Korea’s independence as a formal agenda item. He also worked to secure an opportunity for the Korean delegation to present their case during the conference.
In 2015, the South Korean government posthumously awarded Charles Spalding Thomas the National Foundation Medal in recognition of his contributions to Korea’s independence.