O The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, is back. This time, the highlight goes to the posture of the head of the Canadian government in a photograph with the speaker of the national assembly of South Korea, Kim Jin-pyo, in which he was “caught” with his legs open, to equalize the height between the two. While in South Korea the gesture is welcomed, conservative critics have pointed out that the prime minister has once again embarrassed Canada abroad.

It all happened as part of a visit by Trudeau and a delegation of Canadian politicians to Seoul on Friday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Before addressing the National Assembly, Trudeau landed with several South Korean politicians, including Kim Jin-pyo. The President of the National Assembly launched “the joke”, standing on tiptoe, to reduce the gap of 20 centimeters between them.

At the sound of laughter, Trudeau bent over, then spread his legs to be level with Kim.

Clip from CPAC, showing how this famous photo came to be. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Kim Jin-pyo, Speaker of the National Assembly of South Korea. #cdnpoli #FunnyWays pic.twitter.com/vAY1zN14wt

—Bob Mackin@[email protected] (@bobmackin) May 18, 2023

While South Korean media widely hailed the gesture, with the Chosun channel dubbing the moment ’emotional’, conservative Canadian newspaper True North shot that the prime minister has once again embarrassed Canada abroad. .

Indeed, in February, an awkward handshake between the Prime Minister and Alberta Mayor Danielle Smith attracted media attention, with the policy described as an outspoken criticism of the first minister.

Already in 2017, Trudeau had “escaped” the strong handshakes of then US President Donald Trump, leaning on one of the head of state’s shoulders.

A year earlier, he had attempted to shake hands with former Mexican presidents Barack Obama and Enrique Peña Nieto, ending up awkwardly crossing his arms, causing him to catch Peña Nieto’s wrong hand.

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