A KIM JONG-UN impersonator says he was dragged out of the Winter Olympics by "North Korean heavies" after turning up in character and dancing in front of regime cheerleaders.

Photos taken today show the lookalike - who is notorious for appearing at public events dressed as the despot - waving to the country's cheerleader team at a united Korea hockey game against Japan.

8 Kim Jong-un impersonator Howard waves to a photographer during a shock appearance beside the hermit state's cheerleader team Credit: AFP

Impersonator Howard today exclusively told The Sun: "I was actually late to the game. When I arrived, I went straight over to the North Korean cheerleaders and waving the flag and supporting them on and clapping.

"They looked really surprised and shocked. Some of them laughed, and got it, but most of them were totally shocked and I was told to sit down by a few heavies.

"After that a few heavies rushed over really p***ed off and I suspect they were North Korean delegates, just by the way they were dressed. I can't confirm, but (they were) most likely North Korean.

"They dragged me out and they kicked me in the shins and were shouting something really angrily in Korean."

Kim Jong-un impersonator is kicked out of Korean Winter Olympics hockey game

8 He briefly danced and cheered in front of the troupe as they tried to cheer on the country's hockey team Credit: AFP

8 Moments after this he was angrily confronted by men he believes were North Korean officials Credit: Reuters

8 Here he's seen sitting in the crowd moments before being dragged away Credit: AFP or licensors

Chinese-Australian Howard, who is in his late 30s and based in Hong Kong, previously appeared last month in Hong Kong alongside a Donald Trump lookalike.

In previous years, he also popped up at the Rio Olympics and the Hong Kong Sevens - where he claims his costume was so popular he kissed more than 40 women.

Having developed a huge and dedicated following, he also has Facebook and Instagram pages dedicated to his public appearances.

Today said he was detained by cops beneath the stands for around half an hour.

8 A man confronts Howard following his shock appearance at the match Credit: AFP

Police told him this was for his "own safety".

He added: "They said we've got to wait for the North Korean team to leave before we let you go out.

"I said who decides what goes on in South Korea? North Korea? Or South Korea?

He told them: "If you don't like my face there's nothing you can do about it - I was born this way."

North Korean cheerleaders celebrate as the unified Korea ice hockey team score their first goal at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang

8 He was detained inside the building for about half an hour Credit: AFP

8 Cops told him he was being held 'for his own safety' Credit: AFP

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"I eventually got released after half an hour and that was it and as soon as I got out there was a bunch of reporters asking me questions.

"I thought I'd turn up in character and give the games a little bit more spice, after all, South Korea is a democracy, with freedom of speech and I think we need to satirise the whole situation."

In North Korea, anyone impersonating of a member of the ruling Kim family would be considered blasphemous.

Images of the North Korean leadership are tightly choreographed and controlled by the reclusive nation's state propagandists.

8 His surprise appearance at the match caused an uproar in the stands Credit: AFP

Important political live TV moment almost missed as man blocks view of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong shaking hands with South Korea's President Moon Jae-in at Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Pyeongchang

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