Rodman apologizes for Bae comments
Print Edition
Dennis Rodman apologized yesterday for comments he made in North Korea about a detained American missionary, saying he had been drinking and was under pressure as he organized a game with former US NBA players.
The former basketball star issued the apology in an email message, a day after he sang “Happy Birthday” to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the start of the friendly game.
Rodman has been slammed for not using his influence with Kim to help free Kenneth Bae, the missionary in poor health who is being confined in North Korea for “anti-state” crimes. In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Rodman implied Bae was at fault.
“I want to apologize,” Rodman said yesterday. “I take full responsibility for my actions. It had been a very stressful day. Some of my teammates were leaving because of pressure from their families and business associates. My dreams of basketball diplomacy was quickly falling apart. I had been drinking. It’s not an excuse but by the time the interview happened I was upset. I was overwhelmed. It’s not an excuse, it’s just the truth.”
Rodman said he wanted to apologize first to Bae’s family. “I’m very sorry. At this point I should know better than to make political statements. I’m truly sorry.”
The US State Department distanced itself from Rodman and said it did not want to “dignify” his activities or comments in Pyongyang by commenting on them.
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