TOP South Korean officials on Monday offered a public apology and vowed to delve into the death of a triathlete who had reported to government and sports bodies that she had been abused by her team coach, physical therapist and colleagues.

Choi Suk-hyeon, 22, was found dead late last month, after sending a text message asking her mother to disclose the alleged crimes of people who abused her.

Public outrage later erupted following media revelations that authorities didn’t quickly act even though Choi had registered petitions over the alleged abuses with several government and sports organisations.