Order of Diplomatic Service Merit

The Order of Diplomatic Service Merit (Korean: 수교훈장) is one of South Korea's orders of merit.

It is awarded by the President of South Korea for "outstanding meritorious services in the interest of enhancing national prestige and promoting amity with allies.

"[1] It is a relatively rare honor, being usually awarded to a handful of people every year[citation needed], and is one of the highest civilian awards of South Korea.

[2][better source needed] The Order of Diplomatic Service Merit is divided into 5 grades.

The first grade has two classes; the higher class is reserved for the most high-ranking diplomats.