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

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.