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January 8, 2014

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Rodman: NKorea visit could help 鈥榦pen door鈥

US basketball star Dennis Rodman defended his latest visit to North Korea yesterday, saying it would help “open the door” to the country.

Rodman, speaking in an interview with broadcaster CNN during his fourth trip to North Korea, expressed “love” for leader Kim Jong Un and claimed his controversial trip was a “great idea for the world.”

Rodman and a team of fellow former National Basketball Association stars will hold basketball games today in the North Korean capital Pyongyang to mark Kim’s birthday.

During the interview, Rodman  also appeared to question the activities of Korean-American missionary Kenneth Bae, who has been held in North Korea on charges of crimes against the state since May last year.

“If you understand what Kenneth Bae did .... Do you understand what he did in this country? Why is he held captive in this country?” he said.

Rodman has faced both ridicule and harsh criticism from some quarters for his trips.

“This is not about me. If I can open the door a little bit, just a little bit,” Rodman said. “It’s all about the game. People love to do one thing — sports.”

He also lamented the criticism his visits have drawn. “It’s amazing how we thrive on negativity. Does anyone know this guy’s only 31 years old?” he said of Kim, whom he calls his friend.

 


 

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