By Paul Osborne in Seoul

Commemorative medals to celebrate the career of Kim Yuna have gone on sale ©FacebookApril 27 - Sales of limited edition medals commemorating the career of retired South Korean figure skater Yuna Kim have been postponed here because of the ferry disaster which has killed at least 200 people. 

The Korea Minting, Security Printing and ID Card Operating Corporation (KOMSCO) had been due to release one gold medal, two types of silver medals and one white bronze medal to mark the retirement of Kim, the Vancouver 2010 Olympic champion and Sochi 2014 silver medallist. 

Yuna was set to unveil the medals at a ceremony on Friday April 18, only to postpone the event, following the disaster involving Sewol ferry with 476 people aboard - most of them students and teachers - which sank off South Korea on 16 April.

As the disaster continued to darken South Korea, Kim has still to officially unveil the medals. 

"I desperately pray for a miracle to happen," she tweeted. 

The Sewol ferry disaster has plunged South Korea into a state of national mourning ©AFP/Getty ImagesThe Sewol ferry disaster has plunged South Korea into a state of national mourning ©AFP/Getty Images

Kim has also donated 100 million won ($96,000/£57,200/€69,400) to UNICEF to help survivors and families of victims.

Profits from the commemorative medals are also expected to be donated to victims of the Sewol ferry tragedy.

A total of 2,014 pieces of the gold and one type of the silver medal are due to be released by KOMSCO, with the gold selling for 1.32 million won ($1,270/£755/€916) and the silver 495,000 won ($475/£283/€344).

KOMSCO are also due to issue 20,014 pieces of the second type of silver medal and the white bronze medal, with the pair being available for 154,000 won ($148/£88/€107) and 55,000 won ($53/£31/€38)respectively.

Yuna Kim finished her career with a silver medal at Sochi 2014, although most experts believe she should have won ©Getty ImagesSouth Korea's Yuna Kim finished her career with a silver medal at Sochi 2014 to follow her gold at Vancouver 2010, although most experts believe she should have won ©Getty Images

All four commemorative medals feature the portrait of Yuna and a laurel to signify Championships, along with the words, "Figure Skating Legend Yuna Kim."

The gold and the silver medals also have the image of Yuna in action and her autograph, whilst the white bronze medal has the image of Yuna waving at the crowd, along with the words, "Thank you. You're the true queen."

Kim retired following Sochi 2014, when she was controversially beaten by Russia's Adelina Sotnikova, despite - in the opinion of most experts - having performed better. 

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