SEOUL – Lookalikes of Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un who caused a stir atFriday’s Pyeongchang Olympics opening ceremony have thanked organisers fortheir tender loving care.

The feuding ‘world leaders’ sparked excitement when they infiltrated thepress area before being tackled by security.

But the Kim impersonator, who goes by the stage name of Howard X, insistedthey had not been ejected from the stadium, merely escorted back to theircorrect seats.

“We tried to sneak into the media section so we could wave to theathletes,” he told AFP on Saturday.

“They didn’t kick us out, we had tickets. A bunch of journalists werechasing us so security took us outside so we could get to our seats,” thefake Kim added.

“They were very professional and just doing their jobs. They even providedus with an entourage, so we looked like the real thing and it caused evenmore of a commotion.”

Local organisers insisted normal protocol had been followed.

“There was no problem with their costumes but they entered the media seatswith a regular ticket,” they said. “We just guided out those who haveentered the media seats by mistake.”

Fake Kim admitted that he and Trump substitute Dennis Alan had failed toget close enough to interact with athletes, including the two Koreas whomarched together behind the blue-and-white unification flag.

They were also not able to get close to the VIP area, where USVice-President Mike Pence and the real Kim’s sister Kim Yo Jong were inattendance.

But the imposters were given a warm reception by stunned onlookers,according to Howard.

“People told us it was really funny,” he said. “Even the security guardswere asking for selfies.” – Agencies