The 26-year-old, a triple Olympic silver medallist, won her first world title over 1500m at the Taereung International Skating Rink in South Korea's capital.

She edged out home hopeful Minjeong Choi with Great Britain's Elise Christie, a ten-time European Championship gold medallist, sealing bronze.

Choi won the overall title at last year's World Championships in Moscow as well as the gold medals in the 1000m, 3000m and 3000m relay, while Christie has now claimed three silvers and two bronzes at World Championship level.

In the 500m, St-Gelais was second as the world title went to China's Kexin Fan.

Twenty-two-year-old Fan, a Sochi 2014 Olympic silver medallist over 1000m, was joined on the podium by her compatriot Qu Chungu who came home for bronze.

In the race for the overall title, St Gelais' medals have put her out in front with 55 points, ahead of Fan who has collected 36.

Choi is third on 29 as she bids to defend her title.

In the men's events, Hungary claimed three medals as Liu Shaolin Sandor won the 500m title to put himself into the overall lead.

The 20-year-old Budapest born skater, who has a Chinese father, pipped China's Wu Dajing to the line for his first World Championship gold medal.

Liu Shaoang, another Hungarian, rounded off the podium with bronze.

In the 1500m, China's Han Tianyu won a third World Championship gold medal as Shaoang claimed his second medal of the day with silver.

The hosts had another medal to celebrate thanks to Park Se Yeong coming home for the bronze.

In the overall standings, Sandor, who was fifth in the 1500m, has a tally of 39 points which is just ahead of Shaoang and Han who both boast 34.

The action will conclude tomorrow with finals over 1000m and 3000m for both men and women, as well as the two relays.