Dennis Rodman: Kim Jong-un’s new friend

If you’re following the situation in North Korea as I am, you may have noticed that there’s a little bit more going on over there than just the typical saber-rattling and threats of war.  In one strange development, it looks like Kim Jong-un is a big basketball fan.  To prove it, he invited Dennis Rodman to come have a visit in the country this last February and, as long as the country doesn't implode, Rodman may be making his way back there yet again in August.

So, with all the crazy that’s going down, why would Rodman even considering visiting the country and the leader?  According to the Hall of Famer, he is dedicated to the belief that talking is always the better option than taking direct action.  He has faith in his own ability to get people to like him and feels it may be useful in this situation.

Whatever your opinion of Rodman, you never really know if such a small thing as being able to chat with his favorite basketball star will calm lil’ Kim down.  After all, why would the leader attack the U.S. if there was a chance that Rodman might be injured?

For his part, Rodman said that he had a good time and even made friends with the DPRK’s leader.  He had some generally good things to say about him as well.  Most will probably see this as unjustified, considering the leader’s apparent need to threaten the lives of million with nuclear weapons, but there are many who think that Kim’s actions as of late are little more than an attempt to survive.  The political world of the DPRK, both governmental and among the citizenry, is a touchy one.  The 30-year-old leader is trying to maintain power in a circle of people that contains some names that go all the way back to the era of his grandfather.

And while Rodman has expressed a desire to return come August, I’m guessing even the DPRK reads the world news, and the news is that Rodman has been questioned by the FBI.  Not to mention the fact that back in February, matters were a whole lot less complicated.  We shall see if the basketball star makes it back to the DPRK and if such a visit will really mean anything in the long run.  Personally, I’m hoping Rodman’s presence convinces Kim Jong-un to make basketball, not war.

Dennis Rodman photo courtesy of Steve Lipofsky via Wikicommons