SOFIA, March 9 (Xinhua) -- South Korea won the men's and women's gold medals in 1,500m at the Short Track Speed Skating World Championships here on Saturday.

Choi Min Jeong won the women's 1,500m title in two minutes and 29.741 seconds, and Lim Hyo Jun won the men's 1,500m in 2:31.632.

The women's 1,500m silver and bronze medals went to Kim Boutin of Canada and Sofia Prosvirnova of Russia with 2:29.803 and 2:29.843 respectively.

In the men's event, Samuel Girard of Canada finished behind Lim in 2:31.685 while Lee June Seo of South Korea was third with 2:31.717.

Later on Saturday, the men's and women's 500m quarterfinals, semifinals and finals will be held, as well as women's 3000m relay semifinals and men's 5,000m relay semifinals.

The three-day championships started on Friday, with the participation of some 160 athletes from 37 countries and regions.