Flamboyant former NBA star Dennis Rodman is surrounded by journalists upon arrival at Pyongyang Airport, North Korea on Feb. 26, 2013. (Kim Kwang Hyon/AP)
Former NBA player and basketball bad boy Dennis Rodman is in North Korea. Yes, you read that correctly. The news came from Rodman himself, via Twitter.
It’s true, I’m in North Korea.Looking forward to sitting down with Kim Jung Un.I love the people of North Korea. #WORMinNorthKorea
— Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman) February 26, 2013
They love basketball here. Honored to represent The United States of America. #WORMinNorthKorea
— Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman) February 26, 2013
I’m not a politician. Kim Jung Un & North Korean people are basketball fans. I love everyone. Period. End of story. #WORMinNorthKorea
— Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman) February 26, 2013
Rodman, 51, says he has entered one of the most secretive countries in the world for a collaboration with VICE and three members of the Harlem Globetrotters to make a documentary.
So how, exactly did the former bad boy of the Chicago Bulls make it in? “Young leader Kim Jong Un is said to have been a fan of the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s, when Rodman won three championships with the club,” reports The Associated Press.
Rodman and crew intend to meet with officials in North Korea and participate in a little “basketball diplomacy” as they’re calling it, something which could be worth a shot, given how well traditional attempts at diplomacy and nuclear deterrence with the country are working these days.
