Retired NBA star Dennis Rodman landed in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea several hours ago, kicking off his third trip to the country this year. And his itinerary included a layover in Beijing.
Retired NBA star Dennis Rodman landed in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
several hours ago, kicking off his third trip to the country this year.
The eccentric Hall of Famer was flocked by reporters as he left his hotel in the Chinese capital, and again at the airport, before boarding a flight to Pyongyang. But despite repeated prodding, he insists that he has no plans to discuss political issues with the DPRK’s leader, Kim Jong-Un.
"These things have been going on for years, and years, and years. I mean, whoever is going to be a political insider over there, from America or somewhere else in the world wants to come over there and try to get a hold of it, great. But I’m just going over there to do a basketball game and have some fun." Dennis Rodman, Retired NBA Star said.
Rodman, shown here arriving on the tarmac in Pyongyang, insists that the only purpose for this trip is to train the DPRK’s national basketball team, for an exhibition game against former NBA players. That contest has been scheduled as part of Kim’s birthday festivities in January.
Referring to the DPRK leader as his "good friend" while waiting for the plane to leave Beijing, the five-time NBA champion made it clear that he won’t bring up sensitive issues like the recent execution of Kim’s uncle-in-law, Jang Song-Tek, on treason charges. And upon touching down, he reiterated that the only messages he might deliver, will have to come on the basketball court.
"North Korea has given me the opportunity to bring these players and their families over here, so people can actually see, so these players can actually see, that this country is actually not as bad as people project it to be in the media. I can’t control what they do with their government, I can’t control what they say or how they do things here. I’m just trying to come here as a sports figure and try to hope I can open the door for a lot of people in the country." Dennis Rodman said.
