Following compatriot Cha Minkyu’s victory in the equivalent men’s event yesterday, Kim clocked 38.80sec in the first race and 39.03 in the second for an unrivalled overall time of 77.83 at the Medeu High-mountain Ice Rink.

Japan’s Arisa Tsujimoto finished second in 78.52, while Russia’s Aleksandra Kachurkina, the women's 1,500m gold medallist, came third in 78.71.

"I am happy," Kim, who posted the best results in each of the two races, said.

"The ice on 'Medeu' is similar to the ice in South Korea and that’s probably why it was easier for me than for others."

In the men’s 1,500m event held today, Russia’s Kirill Golubev came out on top with a time of 1:49.30.

The 23-year-old was 0.23 faster than nearest challenger Martijn Renier Van Oosten of The Netherlands in the single-race event.

Japan’s Junya Miwa was 0.31 behind Golubev in third.

Speed skating medal action is due to continue tomorrow, with the women’s 5,000m and men’s 1,000m events scheduled.