Skip to content

LEAGUES News

South Korea's women's speedskating team the focus of bullying scandal

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Two members of South Korea's women's speedskating team have caught the ire of their country after reportedly bullying their teammate.

The episode took place in the team pursuit on Monday, when skaters Kim Bo-Reom and Park Ji-Woo were seen blatantly passing fellow teammate Noh Seon-Yeong. After the race in which the trio finished seventh, Kim and Park were seen neglecting Noh, who sat crying near the other members.

"We were doing quite well," Kim said afterward, according to Martin Rogers of USA Today Sports. "But at the end, we have a big gap at the back. She (Noh) couldn't keep up."

Since the event, South Korea supporters have come to Noh's defense. A petition live on president Moon Jae-In's website urging Kim and Park be banned from the Olympics has since accumulated well over 400,000 signatures.

The backlash led to an explanation from Kim, who said she's sorry for "hurting the feelings of many people."

The three-woman team is expected to compete against Poland in the Final D consolation round on Wednesday.

RELATED NEWS

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Alejandro Kirk both go yard for th...
Jays are ready to go: Vladdy, Kirk crush HRs during 6-run inning in spring finale 😳
EMIL LILLEBERG LAYS OUT CONNOR MCDAVID AT ONE END 💥 NIKITA...
Lightning dump McDavid, immediately score shorthanded beauty 😬
AMEN THOMPSON GAME WINNER 🤯
Amen tips in Durant's miss at buzzer to save Rockets on KD's historic night 🤯
COLE CAUFIELD YOU ARE UNREAL 🧢🚨 THAT'S NO. 13'S THIRD CAR...
Caufield's hat trick puts the dagger in Islanders 🗡️
LUKE KENNARD HITS THE GO-AHEAD 3 TO WIN IT FOR THE LAKERS 🚨...
Kennard sinks clutch 3, extends Lakers' win streak to 9 games
Jasson Dominguez narrowly avoided a complete disaster
Yankees' Dominguez luckily avoids taking practice swing to face 😮