Chinese March in Military Uniforms Along Hangang River Sparks Outcry: 'If It Were the JSDF, There Would Be Uproar'

With the implementation of visa-free entry for Chinese group tourists since September 29, anti-Chinese sentiment has been growing online. Recently, a video surfaced showing around 100 Chinese, dressed in military uniforms, marching in formation to military music at Hangang Park in Seoul, further fueling the debate.
On the 5th, a video titled 'Full Video of Chinese Group March in Military Uniforms at Yeouido Hangang Park – Korea Cruise Travel Vlog' was uploaded to YouTube. The video was first posted a day earlier on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, and quickly spread across online communities and social media.

The footage shows over 100 Chinese gathered at the Hangang River, grouped in teams of about ten, all wearing matching uniforms. Their attire ranged from brightly colored tracksuits to military-patterned outfits.
A banner displaying the event’s schedule, location, and name also appears in the video. The event was apparently filmed on the 31st of last month at the Mulbit Stage area of Yeouido Hangang Park. The event was titled the 'Korea (Hangang) International Walking Exchange.'

It is presumed that members of a Chinese walking club were holding a walking event in Korea.
A man, believed to be a club official, delivers a congratulatory speech in Chinese, marking the official start of the event. Groups in matching uniforms gather, raising red flags bearing the names of their respective clubs as they begin to walk.
Their synchronized, energetic arm and leg movements to the music made the event appear more like a military drill than a simple walking event.


Netizens reacted negatively to the video.
Comments included, 'This has crossed the line. Is there no concept of respect in China? How can they do this as a group in another country?', 'There’s nothing wrong with a Chinese club walking, but wearing military uniforms is too much,' and 'I thought it was AI, but it’s shocking that it’s real.'
Some also criticized the Chinese participants for not respecting other cultures.
Other comments read, 'Would it be okay for Koreans to march in military uniforms at Tiananmen?' and 'If Japanese people wore JSDF uniforms and did this at Hangang Park, there would be chaos.'
Concerns were also raised about the group’s actions, which included marching in military uniforms and playing military songs.
One netizen remarked, 'Marching in military uniforms and playing military songs while pretending to be soldiers is too much. If this gets any bigger, it could feel threatening.' Another commented, 'This is a military act. It’s an act of aggression.'
Despite such concerns, there are no regulations in place to control Chinese tourists wearing military uniforms.
Currently, the Act on the Control of Military Uniforms and Accouterments aims to prevent the leakage of military supplies, maintain the dignity of the military, and ensure effective performance of military duties by regulating the manufacture, sale, wearing, and use of military uniforms and accouterments.
However, under Article 47-3 of the Military Personnel Act, military uniforms are defined as military caps, uniforms, boots, rank insignia, identification bands, and special military uniforms prescribed by the Ministry of National Defense. Items that closely resemble military uniforms in form, color, or structure and are difficult to distinguish from actual uniforms are also included.
There are no specific regulations regarding old military uniforms or foreign military uniforms.


Previously, at a festival in Yeoju, a stage performance featuring Chinese uniforms and the waving of the PLA flag also sparked controversy.
During the '2025 Yeoju Ogok Naru Festival' held at the Silleuksa Tourism Complex in Yeoju, a Korea-China cultural exchange event on the festival’s final day featured participants dressed in Chinese uniforms carrying red flags symbolizing the PLA. The background screen on stage also displayed scenes of the Chinese military marching.
As the controversy grew, the Yeoju Sejong Cultural Tourism Foundation, which organized the festival, issued an apology, stating, 'Some aspects of the Korea-China cultural exchange event, held in cooperation with the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) to elevate the festival to a global level, caused concern and discomfort to visitors. We acknowledge that there was insufficient prior review and on-site inspection of the event content.'
y27k@fnnews.com Seo Yoon-kyung Reporter