Cho Jae-beom could be jailed for 20 years for allegedly sexually abusing and assaulting Shim Suk-hee ©Getty Images

South Korean prosecutors are seeking a 20-year prison sentence for former national speed skating coach Cho Jae-beom after he was indicted on charges of sexually assaulting and molesting double Olympic gold medallist Shim Suk-hee.

According to South Korean news agency Yonhap, prosecutors in Suwon are asking for Cho to be jailed for two decades and to restrict his employment for 10 years.

Cho, who has already served an 18-month sentence for physically assaulting Shim, stands accused of sexually abusing and assaulting the 23-year-old on multiple occasions from 2014 to 2017.

Shim reportedly wants Cho to face a severe punishment for the crime, described by prosecutors as "extremely serious".

Cho denies ever sexually assaulting his athletes, including Shim, who won the second Olympic gold medal of her career in the 3,000 metres relay event at the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang.

Shim Suk-hee won Olympic gold at Pyeongchang 2018, which came only weeks after Cho's history of alleged sexual abuse emerged ©Getty Images
Shim Suk-hee won Olympic gold at Pyeongchang 2018, which came only weeks after Cho's history of alleged sexual abuse emerged ©Getty Images

Prosecutors claimed Cho sexually assaulted Shim 30 times in 2014, when she was a high school student.

They allege he continued to assault her up until December 2017, just two months before the 2018 Winter Olympics opened in Pyeongchang.

It had initially been suggested Cho was facing between seven years in prison and a life sentence.

His previous conviction is likely to count against him if the charges are proven.

Shim's complaints against Cho prompted athletes in other sports in South Korea to speak up about the sexual abuse they have suffered at the hands of coaches and officials.