Chinese tourists spark backlash in Seoul over ‘military-style’ march at Han River park
Chinese tourists march in military-style uniforms during the International Walking Exchange event at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul on Oct. 31. Captured from online community
A video showing a group of Chinese tourists marching in military-style uniforms along Seoul’s Han River Park has prompted strong backlash in Korea, with critics accusing the participants of crossing a line.
The footage, first uploaded to Chinese social media on Tuesday and later shared widely online in Korea, shows dozens of men and women in matching uniforms and caps marching in formation, their arms swinging in sync. At the front, a participant carries a red flag, giving the scene the look of a military parade.
Chinese tourists march in military-style uniforms during the International Walking Exchange event at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul on Oct. 31. Captured from online community
The event was part of the International Walking Exchange organized by the Korea-China Cultural Exchange Organization and the China Health Walking Sports Association. It reportedly took place on Oct. 31 at Yeouido Hangang Park with about 100 participants, many of them Chinese tourists.
The organizers told local media that the controversial outfits were “not military uniforms but club attire.” A representative from the Korea-China Cultural Exchange Organization said, “It was simply a walking event for Chinese visitors who enjoy fitness activities. The clothing was a coordinated outfit for the group, not military wear.”
Chinese tourists march in military-style uniforms during the International Walking Exchange event at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul on Oct. 31. Captured from online community
However, people online in Korea were not convinced. Many pointed out that the participants’ attire — including the matching olive-green jackets, pants and caps — closely resembled military uniforms. “Even if it’s not the official uniform of the People’s Liberation Army, wearing such clothing abroad feels inappropriate,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “China invaded Korea during the Korean War. Wearing military-style clothing on our soil is crossing the line.”
Others compared the situation to how China might react if Koreans staged a similar event in Beijing. “If a group of Koreans marched through Tiananmen Square in uniform carrying the Korean flag, Chinese authorities would never allow it,” one user wrote.
This is not the first time the actions of Chinese tourists have sparked controversy in Korea. In July, a Chinese visitor planted a national flag on a beach in Udo, Jeju Island, sparking anger online. In September, a group dressed in qipao (traditional Chinese dress) performed a public dance near Jeju’s Seongsan Ilchulbong, drawing criticism for cultural insensitivity. And last month, organizers of the Yeoju Okgok Naru Festival in Gyeonggi Province apologized after a Chinese performance group used footage of a military parade as a stage backdrop.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.