Walk 4 Paws: Ex-marine’s Seoul-Busan trek pays tribute to military dogs

Lee Seong-won, spokesperson for foreign media at the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, poses in front of the U.N. Memorial Cemetery in Busan, May 12, after completing his Seoul-to-Busan challenge in honor of retired military dogs. Courtesy of Lee Seong-won

For most, the journey from Seoul to Busan takes only a few hours by train.

But for Lee Seong-won, it took 11 days and tens of thousands of steps — each one a tribute to the nation’s four-legged heroes: military dogs.

Lee, who serves as the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs’ spokesperson for foreign media, launched the “Walk4Paws Korea” campaign as a personal initiative. From May 2 to 12, the 37-year-old walked from Seoul National Cemetery to the U.N. Memorial Cemetery in the southern port city of Busan, aiming to take one million steps and raise one million won in honor of military dogs.

After completing the 560-kilometer journey, he donated the funds on May 13 to the Republic of Korea Army military working dog training center in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, the nation’s official institution for military dogs.

"This project was something I took on as an individual citizen, not in any official capacity," Lee told The Korea Times. "I wanted to extend our nation’s gratitude to a group that is too often forgotten — the silent, four-pawed heroes who served alongside us in war and peace."

Lee said his lifelong affection for animals helped inspire the journey. Having served as an officer in the Republic of Korea Marine Corps after renouncing his U.S. citizenship, his passion for honoring veterans has grown to include concern for the welfare of retired military dogs.

"My professional work at the veterans ministry has always focused on honoring human veterans, but earlier this year, during a visit to the Invictus Games in Canada, I realized we could perhaps do more for our four-pawed companions," he said.

"Watching the U.S. team proudly include their service dogs as part of their team was a wake-up call. It made me realize that Korea could — and should — do more to recognize all forms of service, human or animal."

During a visit to the Army's military dog center, Lee witnessed firsthand the challenges those canines face.

"Nearly 70 percent of their kennels still lack proper heating and cooling, leaving both dogs and handlers exposed to harsh summers and winters," he said. "Legally, these dogs are still classified as 'equipment,' just like a tank or rifle, which limits the kind of care they can receive under existing policies."

But his 11-day journey from Seoul to Busan was not easy.

"On Day 2, I was caught in heavy rain, and my shoes and socks were completely soaked. That small discomfort quickly turned into blisters, which led to a bad ankle, then a bad knee," he recalled. "By the end of the day, I found myself getting x-rays and acupuncture just to keep moving. I almost had to quit."

Lee Seong-won poses with a dog at a biker's shelter in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, May 4. Courtesy of Lee Seong-won

But quitting was not part of Lee's plan.

"I found an abandoned aluminum farming stick lying around, wrapped it with a sock to make a handle, and used it as a walking stick. It wasn’t part of the plan, and it certainly wasn’t pretty, but it let me reach the inn at the end of the day."

What kept him going was the encouragement of family and friends, along with the kindness of strangers he met along the way.

In one such encounter, the owner of a small biker’s shelter in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, and her friends cheered him on and helped him stay motivated when he was falling behind on his daily target.

Lee said he will continue to explore other ways to support Korea’s military canines, including teaming up with corporate sponsors and influencers to launch bigger fundraising campaigns for retired military dogs.

"In the long run, I dream of seeing a memorial statue erected in front of the gates of Seoul National Cemetery or the U.N. Memorial Cemetery in Busan for military dogs."