Accessibility links

Breaking News

Former U.S. Basketball Star Rodman Visits North Korea


Former NBA star Dennis Rodman (right) met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a basketball fan, during his first visit to North Korea in February.
Former NBA star Dennis Rodman (right) met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a basketball fan, during his first visit to North Korea in February.
Former U.S. basketball star Dennis Rodman has returned to North Korea to visit leader Kim Jong Un.

Rodman told reporters while in transit in Beijing on September 3 that he wanted to start a basketball league in North Korea.

Asked if he hoped to bring home a jailed American missionary, he said, "I'm not going to talk about that."

Speculation Rodman might seek missionary Kenneth Bae's release has risen after Rodman suggested via Twitter he might do so.

Rodman met Kim, a basketball fan, during his first visit to North Korea in February.

His new trip comes just days after Pyongyang refused a planned visit by a U.S. envoy, Robert King, because nuclear-capable U.S. bombers participated in recently concluded U.S.-South Korean military drills.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AP

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG