Hackers Attack Website After Taekwondo Disqualification

Angry hackers launched attacks against the website of Asia's top taekwondo body for disqualifying one of Taiwan's top female taekwondo hopefuls at the Asian Games taking place this week.

Yang Shu-chun was sent packing for using extra electronic sensors in her socks. The 25 year-old said that she had not violated the rules of competition but the governing Asian Taekwondo Union said that she had an extra electronic sensor taped to each of her heels in an effort to score more points.

Yang's disqualification led to a subsequent outpouring of anger among Taiwanese politicians and media. A Taekwondo Union official told AFP on Friday that its website "remains paralyzed today for unknown reasons."

In Taipei, President Ma Ying-jeou demanded an investigation into the incident. The nation's premier, Wu Den-yih later told reporters, "We will defend our national dignity and the rights of our sportsmen ... we will not just swallow it if our athlete is wronged."

Hackers left the messages "Shame on you" and "Give back the gold" on the Asian Taekwondo Union's website, according to the Central News Agency said. For good measure, the hackers threw in an image of a hand with its middle finger raised on top of the flags of the two countries. "We are all Taiwanese", a message read.

Meanwhile, the Olympic Council of Asia intends to discuss the disqualification on Saturday with taekwondo officials, according to Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee head Chen Kuo-yi.