Awkward APEC handshake for Koizumi and Roh

Awkward APEC handshake for Koizumi and Roh

BUSAN, South Korea (AFP): South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi greeted each other with an awkward handshake at a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders here on Friday.

Roh, hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in South Korea, accepted Koizumi's hand hesitantly before the two turned and managed strained smiles for the cameras.

Roh begrudgingly agreed to meet Koizumi on the sidelines of the summit to show courtesy to a guest, but along with China, South Korea is furious with the Japanese leader for visiting a shrine that includes memorials to war criminals.