Two Telemundo hosts have been suspended for making racist gestures during South Korea's victory over Germany at the World Cup.

Celebrity chef James Tahhan, 29, and meteorologist Janice Bencosme, 33, have been placed on indefinite suspension after they made slant-eye gestures on air.

The two hosts of Un Nuevo Dia sparked outrage when they were caught on camera pulling their eyes to the side in a pejorative sign towards Koreans on Wednesday.

Telemundo hosts James Tahhan and Janice Bencosme have been suspended after they made racially offensive gestures on live air

Tahhan, center, and Bencosme, left, sparked outrage after they were caught on camera pulling their eyes to the side in a pejorative sign towards Koreans on Wednesday

They were removed from their positions soon afterwards.

'We are extremely disappointed with our morning show contributors James Tahhan's and Janice Bencosme's gestures referring to the South Korean national soccer team,' Telemundo said in a statement.

'Our company takes this kind of inappropriate behavior very seriously, as it is contrary to our values and standards,' the statement added.

The clip of their offensive gestures was widely shared on Twitter displaying Tahhan and Bencosme in Mexico jerseys alongside several other guests on morning show Un Nuevo Dia where they celebrated Mexico's progress into the last 16, thanks to South Korea's win.

Tahhan seems to be leading the antics, making the slant-eye gesture which Bencosme later imitates while laughing.

The Venezuelan chef later apologized to the Asian community on Twitter, saying he had shown a 'lack of sensitivity'.

'During the celebration for the classification of Mexico, I made a mistake and made an inappropriate and insensitive gesture towards the Asian community,' he posted Wednesday.

'It was a lack of sensitivity on my part. I admit that I did something wrong and wanted to apologize to anyone who was offended by it.

Tahhan issued this apology on Twitter on Wednesday following his suspension by Telemundo

Meteorologist Bencosme also issued a public apology saying: 'My gesture, besides being inappropriate, was offensive to the Asian community'

South Korea players celebrate after an injury-time goal put them ahead against Germany, in a 2-0 win which sent Mexico through despite their defeat to Sweden on Wednesday

'The World Cup is a great opportunity to bring together friends, strangers, families and entire countries, and not to divide our communities.'

Bencosme also shared her own apology.

'Sorry. I want to apologize to the public for my behavior yesterday after the game between Mexico and South Korea,' she said.

'My gesture, besides being inappropriate, was offensive to the Asian community. I was wrong and I want to offer my sincere apologies,' she added.

Viewers slammed the two on Twitter, with one telling the network: 'Explain what chef James was doing when he mocked the Korean people this morning? Racism is OK on your shows?'

Another said: 'Some Spanish speaking host on Telemundo was pulling on his eyes after the Korea game....... when will people stop being ignorant?'

The hosts faced major backlash online for their offensive gestures, with Twitter users demanding the hosts apologize for their actions

One Twitter user wrote: 'This guy on the left needs to get fired ASAP for being racist on air'

Another demanded they be fired saying: 'Disgusting behavior at the expense of the Korean people'

Others fired at the network for being racist for allowing such gestures to go live on air

Another comment said: 'In a world that desperately demands respect for our Latinos, [these] pretentious clowns are misrepresenting and entire community with this racist remark.'

And Miguel Hernandez wrote: 'Whoever this guy is on the left needs to get fired ASAP for being a racist on air.'

Germany's failure to beat South Korea meant Mexico reached the knockout round of the World Cup despite their 3-0 defeat to Sweden on Wednesday.

Earlier in the tournament Diego Maradona came under fire for making a similar gesture while he watched his former side Argentina play South Korea.

The BBC's Jacqui Oatley said: 'Some South Korea fans just shouted "Diego" and he obliged with a smile, kiss and wave.

'Then pulled his eyes to the side in a clearly racist gesture. All of us who saw it are stunned.'

Mexico fans were also charged by FIFA after they were heard using an anti-gay slur during their opening fixture against Germany.