( CNN ) -- Taiwan has rallied behind a taekwondo athlete who was controversially disqualified at the Asian Games in China , setting up Internet support groups and even burning South Korean flags . The island 's ruling administration was also criticized for its response to the incident , which saw Yang Shu-chun disqualified while leading during a match in the women 's 49-kilogram category in Guangzhou on Tuesday . The Asian Taekwondo Union released a statement accusing gold-medal hopeful Yang of a `` shocking act of deception , '' claiming that she had illegally added two extra sensors to the heel of her socks to help score more points . The ATU rejected an appeal from the Taiwan team and subsequently banned Yang and the two coaches involved pending a hearing by the martial art 's world ruling body . Local politicians from the People First Party burned South Korean flags outside Taiwan 's Sports Affairs Council in the capital on Thursday , the Taipei Times reported , in protest against World Taekwondo Federation secretary-general Yang Jin-suk . They also smashed imported products on the floor before police intervened , the newspaper said . Politicians from both the Democratic Progressive Party and the Chinese Nationalist Party ( KMT ) backed the 25-year-old in separate press conferences , the Taipei Times reported . `` Every signature symbolizes the gold medal awarded by the Taiwanese public to Yang , '' the KMT 's Lin Yi-shih said of a campaign in support of the athlete . The DPP criticized Taiwan 's Sports Affairs Council -- which on Wednesday threatened to take the matter to an international court -- for failing to stand up for Yang , despite its members being present in China . `` A large number of officials attended the Games , but all they have done so far is appear at and partake in the ceremonies when our athletes win . When Yang was disqualified , what did they do ? Nothing , '' legislator Chiu Yi-ying said . DPP chairperson Tsai Ing-wen added in an online statement : `` [ This government ] , especially on sovereignty issues , has always deferred to China and has n't emphasized our attitudes enough . `` As a result , we think that it is regrettable that frontline officials have n't been speaking strongly enough about this incident . '' Fan pages backing Yang on social networking website Facebook received more than 200,000 responses , according to the Taipei-based Central News Agency . And more than 1,100 people have pledged to turn up when Yang returns to Taiwan on Sunday , the Taipei Times said . Yang , 25 , again insisted she was innocent , CNA reported on Thursday . `` I entered the competition area after the official inspecting my electronic footwear gave his approval in a pre-game inspection , '' she said . Meanwhile , China extended its lead in the medal table at the halfway stage of the 16th staging of the four-yearly Asian Games on Thursday . Its athletes claimed a further 12 gold medals on day six for 109 in total and 203 medals overall . South Korea added eight golds to be second with 37 , while Japan collected four more to stay third on 21 . North Korea and Iran remained on five golds , while Taiwan was joined on four by Kazakhstan and Hong Kong .
Taiwan politicians take up the cause of Yang Shu-chun after Asian Games incident . South Korean flags reportedly burned in protest against top taekwondo official . Political parties criticize Taiwan sports ministry 's response to Tuesday 's disqualification . Facebook groups set up in support of Yang reportedly receive 200,000 responses .