Pallade Veneta - South Korean Army Admits 'K-Walking' Training Was Inappropriate

The South Korean Army has acknowledged that a training program conducted for an elite special forces unit, in which soldiers were taught to walk and pose like fashion models, was inappropriate. The admission comes after public outcry over footage showing the event, officially titled the "K-Walking Performance Military Festival," held at the Army Special Warfare Command’s 1st Special Forces Brigade base on October 29.

Video obtained by broadcaster TV Chosun from a former special forces YouTuber showed female models wearing camouflage outfits and high heels demonstrating catwalk techniques to groups of male soldiers. According to The Korea Herald, the soldiers copied the movements, which included walking with one foot placed directly in front of the other, turning their bodies, and striking poses with bent arms. The troops later took turns walking forward and posing while the models observed.

The footage triggered immediate criticism on social media, with many questioning why an elite military unit responsible for high-risk operations would dedicate time to runway techniques. One user on X stated, "Given the nature and responsibilities of a unit tasked with special operations, it’s hard to understand the purpose of this training." Others suggested the incident could damage South Korea’s international reputation, with one noting that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un "would collapse laughing if he saw this."

Political criticism also emerged from Park Choong-kwon, a lawmaker from the ruling People Power Party. Writing on Facebook, Park criticized the Ministry of National Defense under President Lee Jae Myung for bringing in fashion models to teach special forces soldiers how to walk while North Korea continues land mine provocations and missile tests.

Park argued that the military leadership was performing "musicals" rather than addressing national security, citing vague ministerial statements and commanders ordering troops to stand guard with unloaded rifles. However, he emphasized that rank-and-file soldiers should not be blamed for the program. "The military must take responsibility for the humiliation these elite troops must have felt," Park said, noting that the unit had initially defended the training as a way to establish basic military bearing.

Initially, the Army described the event as part of a personal development program organized twice a year. The brigade claimed the intention was to help soldiers improve their posture, walking techniques, and general military bearing. An Army official later admitted that the program had not been properly assessed before it was organized.

"The training was a hands-on programme led by outside instructors as part of personal development training held once every six months," the official said. "However, the programme content was inappropriate because it did not suit the characteristics of the unit or the needs and expectations of its soldiers, and it had not been properly reviewed beforehand."

The official added that the Army would gather soldiers’ opinions during the planning stage of future personal development training programs and carefully review the appropriateness of the content.

The 1st Special Forces Brigade has been under scrutiny in recent months. It was among the units deployed during former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024. The brigade’s commander at the time, Lee Sang-hyun, is currently on trial over charges connected to that declaration.

Z.Ottaviano--PV