And their skill was on full display at the Gangneung Ice Arena, the judges awarding them 69.40 points, destroying their previous highest score of 65.25 and propelling them into the free-skate final in 11th place.

The pair were initially marched past the media by a minder without stopping to discuss their electric performance.

But just before they left, Kim said the support from the crowd – North Korean cheerleaders and South Koreans – had been a huge boost.

“There has been no discomfort and now that we have competed, [we could see] how strong our Korean people can be when we are together,” the 25-year-old said.

“We are one people sharing the same bloodline.”

Resplendent in matching black trousers and black-and-silver-sequinned tops, Kim and Ryom looked relaxed and confident, giving the impression this was their fifth Olympics – rather than their first.

“And now the two skaters from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea!” barked the stadium announcer, her voice drowned out by cheers from supporters from both Koreas – two countries still technically at war.

Jeff Beck’s haunting guitar strains filled the air as Ryom and Kim nailed their opening triple twist lift, generating a roar of approval from the stands.

At the end of their routine they smiled, waved and bowed, and jumped up in delight when their marks flashed up on the big screen.

Watching from rinkside was their Canadian coaching consultant Bruno Marcotte, with whom they spent a spell training in Montreal last year.

In the run-up to the competition, he said his students were up against it.

“Let’s be honest, they’re ranked 15th in the world. It’s a really strong field,” he said.

“They were 15th at the world championships in Helsinki, if they come top 12 we’d be ecstatic.”

The couple’s presence at the 2018 Games was only confirmed following a sudden rapprochement between the two Koreas after tensions reached fever pitch as Pyongyang carried out a series of weapons tests.