Dennis Rodman Returns To North Korea, Ignores Political And Human Rights Issues
By Lisa White in News on Dec 19, 2013 4:30PM
Dennis Rodman with new BFF Kim Jong Un in February, from the front page of North Korean newspaper the Rodong Sinmun. (via Shanghaiist)
Former NBA player and human pin cushion Dennis Rodman returned to North Korea Thursday, his third visit to the country to visit his unlikely friend, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, to help plan an exhibition game in January and train North Korean players during his visit.
Rodman’s visit is less than a week after North Korea announced the execution of their No. 2 official, Jang Song Thaek, the uncle of Kim Jong Un. When asked about the execution, Rodman said:
"It has nothing to do with me. I mean, whatever his uncle has done, and whoever’s done anything in North Korea, I have no control over that. I mean, these things have been going on for years and years and years. I’m just going over there to do a basketball game and have some fun."
Rodman’s friendship with Kim Jong Un blossomed after he traveled to North Korea with the Harlem Globetrotters and a VICE television crew for their HBO series. He has since returned to the country on his own, this time to meet with the leader to discuss a game in two weeks he’ll host on Kim Jong Un’s birthday that will include a roster of 12 American basketball players that have yet to be named.
The Associated Press reports that Rodman said “ I hope this game brings a lot of countries together, because as I said, sports it is so important to people around the world.” Rodman also hopes “this is going to engage American people, especially (President Barack) Obama, to just try to talk to them.”
Ah yes, the unity of sports will wipe the slate clean for a country with some of the worst human rights violations in history. Especially right after their leader just had his own uncle executed.
Rodman also said the following, according to the Associated Press, about his relationship with Kim Jong Un:
“I’m very proud to say he’s my friend, because he hasn’t done anything to put a damper, to say any negative things about my country. North Korea has given me the opportunity to bring these players and their families over here, so people can actually see that this country is actually not as bad as people project it to be in the media.”
We’re guessing Rodman hasn’t read any news about North Korea and their stance on America in years. And yes, it is just the big bad media pointing out North Korea’s human rights issues. No international organizations such as Amnesty International have anything to say about it.
We can understand Rodman wanting to remain neutral for his own safety while traveling to North Korea, but might we suggest if he is truly going over for basketball and doesn’t want to involve politics or diplomacy at all, then he keep his mouth firmly shut, something he has never been good at doing.