Covid-19 Delta outbreak: Aussie politician shows how not to do an elbow bump

"And while we face an increasingly uncertain and contested strategic environment, we face it together," said Dutton following the awkward encounter. Photo / Screenshot

Footage has emerged of a painfully awkward interaction between Australia's Defence Minister Peter Dutton and his South Korean counterpart.

Dutton, along with Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne, travelled to Seoul earlier this week for high-level talks, the outcome of which was to strengthen the two nations' military co-operation with a new infantry exercise from 2023, and more naval and air force training opportunities.

"The initiatives we have agreed to today will further our joint efforts to maintain peace and security in our region," he said.

"And while we face an increasingly uncertain and contested strategic environment, we face it together."

Unfortunately for Dutton, though, those discussions have been somewhat overshadowed by the embarrassing fact that he doesn't know how to do an elbow bump – a failure that was caught on camera.

The footage, shared by the News Fighters Podcast to Twitter this morning, shows Dutton alongside South Korean Defence Minister Suh Wook.

Suh raises his arm in an attempt to bump elbows with Dutton, as is the Covid-friendly way, but Dutton misjudges and appears to think they're doing some kind of triumphant, fist-raised pose.

He then realises what's going on, but offers Suh the wrong arm – with the South Korean Minister proceeding to grab the Defence Minister's correct arm and bump their elbows together.

Reaction to the cringe-worthy encounter came thick and fast.

"I saw that footage and thought Dutton was going to punch him," one woman wrote.

"What did he think it was? Half a Black Panther salute?" wrote another.

It was a big morning for awkward Australian encounters, with the footage coming after US President Joe Biden spectacularly forgot Prime Minister Scott Morrison's name.

In a historic joint announcement with the United States and the United Kingdom detailing Australia's nuclear transition, Biden referred to Mr Morrison as "that fellow Down Under".

"Thank you Boris, and I want to thank that fellow Down Under," Biden said.

"Thank you very much, pal! Appreciate it, Mr Prime Minister."

He quickly backtracked and addressed Morrison by name as he thanked him for his partnership, but the fumble was not missed.

Speaking after the announcement from Parliament House in Canberra, Morrison called the new agreement a "forever partnership" between "the oldest and most trusted friends".