The Telegraph. Bill Gates criticized for disrespectful handshake with South Korean President

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has been accused of showing disrespect to South Korean President Park Geun-hye after he shook hands with her, with one hand in his pocket. While the presidential Blue House has declined to comment, social networking sites are heatedly discussing the incident.

Mr. Gates came to South Korea as chairman of the nuclear start-up TerraPower. He also met with Ms. Geun-hye who reportedly was seeking the Microsoft founder's advice on her plans to build a "creative economy".

Photos of Gates and Geun-hye’s handshaking hit newspapers’ front pages on Monday. Some of the media cropped off the offending pocketed hand, others highlighted it.

In South Korea, where the society is particularly sensitive about etiquette, a hand in a pocket means one is hiding something.
The incident has drawn attention of social media users.

"Even considering the cultural difference, there is an appropriate manner for certain occasions ... how can he put his hand in his pocket when meeting a leader of the state?" tweeted @msryu67.

While some criticize Bill Gates, others say he meant no disrespect at all and recall similar previous Gates’ handshaking with political leaders.