Moon shows spirit in handshake with Trump

President Moon Jae-in shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington D.C., Thursday (local time). / Yonhap

By Jung Min-ho

President Moon Jae-in shook hands with U.S. President Donald Trump ― with a firm but not aggressive grip ― in what appeared to be a tactic to avert Trump’s notorious yank-and-pull handshake technique.

Moon, known for his politeness and gentle manners, looked confident during his state visit to the United States, the most important ally of South Korea in defense.

/ Yonhap

As soon as Moon got out of a car in front of the White House in Washington D.C., Thursday (local time), Trump offered his right hand and tapped Moon on the shoulder lightly with his left hand.

Moon responded by giving him a firm handshake as he placed his left hand high on Trump’s arm ― similar to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s action.

Their first handshake lasted for about 4 seconds and both men smiled.

The two leaders shook hands three more times during their White House tour and luncheon. Trump always offered the handshake first, and each time Moon responded with a solid grip and a bright smile.

The way Moon shook Trump’s hand may be the result of practice. Speaking to reporters on the plane to the United States, he said, “The Korean people and many people all over the world are expected to pay attention to how we shake hands.”

“Our handshakes will show the friendship and trust between the two countries.”

The handshake is known to have originated as a gesture to show that both participants have no weapons in their hands. But Trump has received extensive media attention for using it as a “diplomatic weapon” in the eyes of many critics.

/ Yonhap

Most notably, Trump spent 19 seconds shaking the hand of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in February. News media photographs showed Abe looking relieved when Trump finally let go of his hand.

Trudeau, who appeared to be prepared for Trump’s handshake, moved swiftly in close to Trump as if to prevent the U.S. president from pulling him off balance when the two met in May. Trudeau also placed his left hand high on Trump’s arm as if to control the handshake.

Most recently, French President Emmanuel Macron made headlines after he clasped the hand of Trump in a death grip and did not let go for some time at May’s NATO meeting in Brussels.

/ Yonhap