Canadian PM Trudeau’s ‘manner legs’ pose steals limelight during visit in South Korea
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Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's pose with National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo has been lauded by Korean media as heart-warming and caring.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who generated buzz when shirtless photos from his younger days emerged
This time, his “manner legs” are making the headlines in South Korea.
On Wednesday, Mr Trudeau, who was in South Korea for a summit
During their photo session, Mr Kim can be seen standing on tiptoes, as there is a 20cm height difference between the two.
Mr Trudeau, who is reportedly over 1.8m tall, then bent down momentarily to Mr Kim’s height, eliciting laughter from both countries’ delegates.
He then spread his legs apart and appeared to be at the same height as Mr Kim.
This move was later identified as “manner legs” in South Korea. It is meant to level the height between two people, and is a sign of respect – a practice which some South Korean celebrities have also adopted.
In 2012, actor Lee Kwang-soo, who is over 1.9m tall, was seen in a picture in between filming, lowering his height to match that of a hairstylist by standing with his legs spread wide.
Mr Trudeau’s pose garnered praise from the South Korean media, with The Chosun Ilbo newspaper describing it as a “heart-warming scene” and TV news outlet YTN suggesting that the act showed a “caring” attitude.
However, The Guardian, which cited Canadian conservative news outlet True North, said that the meeting led to “some Canadians accusing (Mr) Trudeau of embarrassing Canada while abroad once again”.
At a summit in 2016, he attempted to shake hands with former US president Barack Obama and former Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto at the same time, which sparked confusion and resulted in good-humoured laughter from them.
Mr Trudeau’s visit to South Korea was the first in nine years by a Canadian leader and marks the 60th anniversary of relations.
He also met President Yoon Suk-yeol and pitched greater collaboration between the two countries.
