Seoul: South Korea‘s Army has acknowledged that a training programme in which elite special forces soldiers were taught to walk and pose like fashion models was inappropriate, following widespread criticism on social media. The footage showed male soldiers practising runway techniques under the guidance of female models at a military base, prompting questions about the purpose and relevance of the activity.
The programme, called the K-Walking Performance Military Festival, was reportedly held on October 29 at a gymnasium inside the 1st Special Forces Brigade base of the Army Special Warfare Command. The Army initially defended the session as part of a personal development programme designed to improve posture and walking techniques. However, an official later admitted that the content did not suit the unit’s characteristics or the expectations of its soldiers.
The Army also acknowledged that the programme had not been properly reviewed before it was organised and said soldiers’ opinions would be considered when planning similar activities in the future.
What happened during the special forces training programme?
The controversy began after footage from the event circulated online. According to reports by The Independent and The Korea Herald, the video was obtained by broadcaster TV Chosun from a YouTuber who had previously served in the special forces.
The footage showed female models wearing camouflage outfits and high heels demonstrating catwalk techniques to groups of male soldiers. The soldiers were seen observing the demonstrations before attempting to copy the movements themselves.
The exercises included walking with one foot placed directly in front of the other, turning their bodies and striking poses with their arms bent. Soldiers later took turns walking forward and posing while the models watched.
The activity was part of the K-Walking Performance Military Festival, which reportedly took place within the brigade’s gymnasium. The event’s format drew attention because it involved personnel from an elite military unit participating in an exercise associated more closely with fashion shows and runway performances than conventional military training.
The video quickly attracted attention online, with viewers questioning why soldiers serving in a special operations formation were being taught fashion-model walking techniques.
Social media criticism targets the programme
The footage prompted criticism from social media users, several of whom questioned whether the activity was appropriate for an elite military unit responsible for high-risk special operations.
The timing of the programme also became a point of political debate. Some critics argued that military personnel should be focused on operational readiness and other activities directly connected to their responsibilities.
People Power Party lawmaker Park Choong-kwon criticised the programme in a Facebook post, referring to North Korea’s military activities.
“North Korea is carrying out land mine provocations and firing combinations of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and multiple rocket launchers, yet the Ministry of National Defense under the Lee Jae Myung administration is bringing in fashion models to teach special forces soldiers how to walk,” Park wrote.
His remarks linked the controversy to wider concerns about military priorities amid tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Park also argued that the soldiers who participated in the programme should not be held responsible for the decision to organise it. He said the military leadership should take responsibility for the criticism and the embarrassment faced by the elite personnel.
“The rank-and-file soldiers are not to blame,” he said.
He further criticised the unit’s explanation that the exercise was intended to improve posture and walking techniques as part of establishing basic military bearing.
What did the South Korea Army say?
The Army initially described the event as part of a personal development programme organised twice a year. According to the brigade’s explanation, the objective was to help soldiers improve their posture, walking techniques and overall military bearing.
The programme was presented as a practical session led by external instructors. However, following the public reaction, an Army official acknowledged that the content was not suitable for the unit.
“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.
The official then admitted that the activity had not undergone adequate scrutiny before it was conducted.
“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.
The statement marked a shift from the Army’s initial explanation of the event as a routine personal development activity. It also acknowledged that the organisers should have assessed whether the programme was suitable for the personnel involved.
Army promises changes to future training programmes
The Army has said it will take soldiers’ feedback into account when planning future personal development activities. The official statement indicated that the military would review the suitability of proposed sessions before they are conducted.
“We will gather soldiers’ opinions from the planning stage of future personal development training programs and carefully review the appropriateness of the training content,” the official said.
The commitment suggests that the Army intends to place greater emphasis on matching personal development activities to the needs and expectations of individual units.
The controversy has also highlighted the importance of proper oversight when outside instructors are invited to conduct sessions at military establishments. While personal development programmes can cover areas beyond conventional combat training, their objectives and content need to be appropriate for the personnel taking part.
In this case, the Army’s admission that the programme had not been adequately reviewed became a central issue in the response to the criticism.
Why the controversy has drawn attention
South Korea maintains specialised military units tasked with carrying out demanding operations. The 1st Special Forces Brigade is part of the Army Special Warfare Command, making the participation of its soldiers in the runway session particularly striking to critics.
The programme’s defenders within the military initially presented it as an exercise intended to improve posture and walking techniques. However, the footage led many viewers to question whether the activity was relevant to the unit’s requirements.
The criticism also reflects the public sensitivity surrounding military preparedness in South Korea, where security developments involving North Korea remain an important national concern.
The Army’s response has acknowledged the mismatch between the programme and the unit’s needs rather than disputing the footage. It has also promised to consult soldiers and review future activities more carefully.
The episode has therefore become a reminder that even programmes described as personal development activities require clear objectives, appropriate planning and consultation with the personnel expected to participate.