China had the same situation both in 2006 and 2014 when disqualifications in the finals denied them Olympic medals in this event.

Canada were also confused about the penalty.

"We have to have a look at the video for sure and have more explanation for that," Marianne St. Gelais of Canada said after the final.

Quite a few former short trackers have called for the explanation of penalties and release of videos including former Olympic champion Apolo Anton Ohno of America.

"I have seen the replay like ten times, and I still can't get why China was disqualified," Ohno told Xinhua on Tuesday.

"I suggest that, for the next Games, the reason should be given with the penalty," he said.

South Korea surpassed China in the final sprint before defending the relay title. Italy won the silver medal and the Netherlands, which won final B in a new world record of 4:03.471, took the bronze.

It is the fourth gold medal for the hosts at the Games and also the third in short-track speed skating.

The short-track competitions produced a variety of high-drama situations including crashes and disqualifications. The Chinese athletes have been held back at PyeongChang due to penalties and now China only took one silver four days into the competition when teenage Li Jinxu grabbed a silver in women's 1,500m.