The Korean War Service Medal (KWSM, , ), also known as the Republic of Korea War Service Medal (ROKWSM), is a military award of South Korea which was first authorized in December 1950. History 6.25 Incident Participation Medal Originally and technically known as the 6.25 Incident Participation Medal (Presidential decree #390; 6.25 stands for June 25, 1950, the date of the beginning of the North Korean invasion into South Korea.), the colored and enameled 5-pointed star version of the Korean War Service Medal was first authorized to South Korean troops who had participated in the initial counter-assaults against North Korean aggression in June 1950. On September 15, 1951, President Syngman Rhee referred to and authorized the commander-chief of the United Nations Command to confer the award of the "Korean War Medal" and "Korean War Ribbon" ("Korean War Service Medal"), "to the brave and valiant members of the United Nations Command who have been, and are now, combating the communist aggressor in Korea." Crossed bullets medal On April 14, 1954, the South Korean government authorized the change of the star medal design to the round "Crossed Bullets" design (Presidential decree #892) of the Korean War Service Medal. The Taeguk symbol is not worn on the center of the suspension ribbon of the original medal or the suspension ribbon of the crossed bullets medal. The Taeguk symbol is only on the center of the service ribbon. Criteria The South Korean government specifies the eligibility period and criteria. Only the South Korean-provided medal is approved by the US government to meet the US criteria for wear on military uniforms. In order to wear the medal and ribbon personnel must have: served between the outbreak of hostilities, June 25, 1950, and the date the armistice was signed, July 27, 1953: been on permanent assignment or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days, and performed their duty within the territorial limits of Korea, in the waters immediately adjacent thereto or in aerial flight over Korea participating in actual combat operations or in support of combat operations. Order of precedence The order of precedence for non-US service medals and ribbons is determined by date of approval. The Republic of Korea War Service Medal (August 20, 1999) should be worn after the Kuwait Liberation Medal (March 16, 1995). For the majority of Korean War veterans, the medal will be worn after the United