Park Chung-kwon Slams Army for ‘Model Walking’ Training with Fashion Models

South Korean Army Special Forces Unit Held Fashion-Model Walking Session, Lawmaker Says

The South Korean Army’s Special Warfare Command apologized for a training program in which fashion models taught elite soldiers how to walk, after a ruling-party lawmaker accused the Defense Ministry of prioritizing “model walking” while North Korea escalates military provocations, NewDaily reported.

According to a TV Chosun report shared by Rep. Park Chung-kwon of the People Power Party, the Army’s 1st Airborne Special Forces Brigade held a “K-Walking Performance Military Festival” on the 29th of last month in the unit’s gymnasium. Video from the event showed female models wearing camouflage outfits and high heels demonstrating walking and posture to soldiers, who practiced crossing their feet, executing turns, and performing individual walks and poses.

Army Acknowledges Inadequate Review of Program

An Army official told NewDaily that the brigade ran the program on its own during a “concentrated character education week” and that a thorough review of its appropriateness beforehand was insufficient. The official added that the Army will make more careful reviews to ensure future programs match the purpose of character education for soldiers.

Park Chung-kwon Ties Training to North Korean Provocations

Park posted on Facebook the previous day that North Korea is conducting “mixed provocations” with landmines, ballistic and cruise missiles, and multiple rocket launchers, while the Lee Jae-myung administration’s Defense Ministry “is bringing in fashion models to teach special forces how to walk.”

He broadened the criticism to the government’s leadership, writing that the president has a fuzzy sense of security, the minister does musicals, a corps commander conducts an empty-gun salute, and frontline unit commanders give model-walking lectures. Park said the frontline soldiers bear no blame and that the command must feel deep responsibility for the sense of self-deprecation the elite troops experienced.

Responding to the unit’s explanation that the session was meant to establish proper military posture and walking, Park countered that a government unable to respond properly even if a soldier’s ankle were severed has no standing to speak of basic military posture.

Army Outlines Review Process

The Army has committed to reviewing future character-education programs more carefully before they are implemented, according to the official’s statement to NewDaily. No date has been set for any disciplinary action or revised training guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which unit held the walking event?

The Army Special Warfare Command’s 1st Airborne Special Forces Brigade held the event in its gymnasium on the 29th of last month, according to the TV Chosun report cited by NewDaily.

What was the Army’s explanation for the program?

An Army official said the brigade ran it during a concentrated character-education week and acknowledged that a proper review of its appropriateness was insufficient beforehand.

Who criticized the program publicly?

Rep. Park Chung-kwon of the People Power Party criticized it on Facebook, linking the training to North Korea’s ongoing missile and rocket provocations.