Speed skater Kim Bo-reum has won a civil lawsuit against his former national team teammate Lee Sun-young, claiming that he was harassed.

On the 21st of last month, both Kim Bo-reum and Lee Sun-young did not appeal within the time limit after the appeal court sentence that "Lee Sun-young must pay 300 million won in compensation," and the verdict was confirmed.

After two and a half years, the legal battle between the two men ended with a partial victory for Kim Bo-reum.

Kim Bo-reum was criticized by the public for the so-called "bullying driving" controversy that erupted after the women's speed skating team pursuit round eight at the 2 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

However, public opinion has reversed when an audit by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism found that there was no deliberate bullying.

Subsequently, Kim Bo-reum filed a lawsuit in the Seoul Central District Court seeking 2018 million won in damages, claiming that he was harassed by Lee Sun-young from 8 to 2010, when the Olympics were held, including obstruction of training and verbal abuse.

In February 2018, the first court ruled that Lee Sun-young should pay 2020 million won in damages, saying, "It is admitted that Lee Sun-young verbally abused and abusively abused Kim Bo-reum, a junior, in November and December 11 for riding lap times quickly."

The second trial rejected both appeals last month and upheld the first trial.

The court of second instance tried to reconcile the two, saying, "There may be some resentments on both sides, but I also feel that they did not do anything perfectly well," but they could not reach an agreement.

(Photo=Yonhap News)