The KSU, however, have also stated that they are considering extending De Jong's deal, depending on the views of skaters and other coaches.

As reported by Yonhap, a KSU official said: "Bob de Jong is returning to The Netherlands for visa-related matters, but we'll continue to talk.

"The Olympics just ended, and so we'll have to start gathering opinions [from athletes and coaches]."

De Jong, a gold medallist in the 10,000 metres event at Turin 2006, led South Korea to seven medals at this month's Pyeongchang 2018 Games - their highest-ever medal tally for a single Winter Olympics.

Only The Netherlands collected more speed skating medals in Pyeongchang than the hosts.

In a blog on a Dutch speed skating site during Pyeongchang 2018, De Jong described his exuberant celebrations.

"I have built up a solid relationship with those skaters and staff and I wanted to celebrate that success with them," he said.

"It may sound crazy, but if you have worked together so closely, then as a Dutchman you can also be very happy with success for Korea."

One of the athletes that De Jong coached was his former Olympic rival Lee Seung-hoon, who won gold in the men's mass start and silver in the team pursuit at Pyeongchang 2018.

Another skater De Jong coached, Kim Min-seok, who won two medals at Pyeongchang 2018, has been named as the grand prize winner at the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee (KSOC) Awards - the country's top sporting prize.

On receiving the award, Kim said: "This is a great honour for me.

"I'll also try to post good results at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing."