The London Olympics were on the lips of President Lee Myung-bak and government ministers during a Cabinet meeting Tuesday after Korea won its first-ever gymnastics gold in a victory that boosted the country's gold-medal haul beyond its goal.
Gymnast Yang Hak-seon won the gold medal in men's vault with an average score of 16.533 points.
In his first try, Yang successfully pulled off his signature move called "The Yang Hak-seon," a triple-twisting handspring front somersault, though he slipped a bit on the landing. In the second try, Yang had a perfect landing and earned 16.600 points to clinch the gold medal.
"I saw athlete Yang performing and he did very well on his second attempt. He must have practiced a lot," President Lee said during small talk with ministers and secretaries at the Cabinet meeting. "He must have practiced to ensure he won't make any mistake."
Referring to "The Yang Hak-seon" move named after the athlete, Culture and Sports Minister Choe Kwang-shik said the gymnast has a 75 percent chance of success on the difficult technique, and he successfully pulled it off.
Knowledge Economy Minister Hong Suk-woo chipped in, saying it is one of the most difficult moves.
Lee also made remarks comforting weightlifter Jang Mi-ran, who failed to defend her Olympic title in the women's heaviest class. She finished fourth in the women's over-75-kilogram class, with 125 kg in snatch and 164 kg in clean and jerk for 289 kg in total.
"In weightlifting, it is very difficult to win twice in the Olympics," Lee said.
Korea has so far won 11 golds, five silvers and six bronzes, more than its goal of winning at least 10 golds and making a top-10 finish in the medal table. (Yonhap)