The Netherlands had grabbed the lead with 12 laps to go but that served to fire up the South Koreans who sprinted to the win ahead of the United States who followed up their world-record feat last week in Shanghai with a bronze.

The USA’s Thomas Insuk Hong said winning back-to-back relay medals “means a lot”.

“It just shows we’re on the right path going into the Games and hopefully we can keep this wave going and medal at the Games," said the 20-year-old who was born in South Korea.

“It was a really good feeling. 

"The crowd was deafening honestly. 

"It definitely helped us do better. 

"We fed off the crowd’s energy.”

World Cup leaders Canada did not make it past the heats, while Japan won the B final.

Earlier The Netherlands took advantage of a collision between the race leaders to win their first ladies' 3000 metre relay gold.

The South Korean and Chinese skaters made contact with four laps to go, which allowed the Dutch and Russia to swoop past.

Korea ended up with the bronze and finished the World Cup series as the overall winner in the relay.

China received a penalty.

“A lot of things happened,” said The Netherlands' Yara van Kerkhof.

“We wanted to start in front but we were second and we tried to keep our spot. 

"We suddenly became third and it was a little bit more stressful.”

Apart from the collision, South Korea also made a mistake with a handover while leading.

Van Kerkhof was proud of the victory, their first relay medal of any colour over the World Cup season.

“We were excited to race here in this stadium and this crowd. 

"Before the race started we said, let’s make the crowd quiet by winning, and we won.”

Van Kerkhof preferred not to view it as simply down to fortune.

“It gives a lot of confidence and what can happen here can also happen at the Olympics. 

"I get a good feeling for the Olympics.”

The B final was won by Canada.