Referees and coaches bow with a belly button greeting... Taekwondo video review demonstrating 'K etiquette'

On the 7th (local time), at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, during the semifinals of the men's 58kg taekwondo event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Korea's coach and referee are exchanging respectful greetings during the video review request./KBS

A broadcast screen capture showing a coach requesting a video review from the referee during the semifinal match between Park Tae-jun and world number one Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi (Tunisia), held before the finals, has been uploaded.

Coach Jung Jin from the screen raised his video review card high from his seat to request a video review. Holding the card, Coach Jung faced the referee and politely bowed. The referee also bowed in return towards Coach Jung. Afterwards, Coach Jung, supporting his arm with one hand, politely handed the card to the referee. The referee also received the card with one hand while supporting his arm.

Netizens responded with comments such as "The reason why you learn manners and etiquette first when you go to a taekwondo dojang," "This scene caught my eye and made me feel comfortable," "It was nice to see even the referees showing mutual respect," "Belly button bowing is K etiquette," and "It's nice to see our country following proper manners."

At that time, in the second round, Park Tae-jun was leading narrowly with a score of 8-6. With 20 seconds remaining before the end of the round, he attempted a head attack, but the point was not awarded. Coach Jung immediately requested a video review. The review confirmed the point, and Park Tae-jun pulled ahead with a score of 11-6. Afterwards, Park Tae-jun hit the torso once more, securing his advancement to the finals.

Meanwhile, Park Tae-jun became our country's first Olympic gold medalist in this weight class on that day. It had been a remarkable 16 years since a Korean male athlete won a gold medal at the Olympics. Park Tae-jun was the first to stand on the top of the podium since Son Tae-jin (68kg category) and Cha Dong-min (over 80kg category) at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

<Source: Chosun Ilbo>