SEOUL, South Korea – Flamboyant former NBA star Dennis Rodman, known as “the Worm” during his pro career, sat with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang watching an exhibition basketball game today becoming the first American to meet the leader of the nuclear state.
“You have a friend for life,” Rodman told Kim while chatting without any translators as three visiting Harlem Globetrotters competed together with 12 North Korean players. Rodman, wearing dark glasses and a black baseball cap with USA on it, sat to the left of Kim. Both were in large red chairs that were topped with white covers, not a typical courtside seat.
The North Korean leader later dined and drank with the Americans.
Kim, 30, is known to have been a Rodman fan since his teenage years at a Swiss boarding school before assuming power after his father Kim Jong-Il’s death in December 2011.
North Korean cheerleaders wearing traditional costumes and miniskirts performed during halftime. Foreign diplomats were invited to watch the game. Foreign journalists were not invited to cover it.
The game, which mixed the Harlem Globetrotters and the 12 North Korean players into two teams, ended diplomatically in a 110-110 draw.
After the game, Rodman thanked the North Korean leader for the invitation.
Dennis Rodman Through the Years
“Although relations between the two countries are regrettable, personally I am a friend of Marshal Kim Jong Un and the DPRK people,” he said, according to Chinese news agency Xinhua.
The 51 year-old winner of five NBA championships arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday with Harlem Globetrotters and a VICE television crew to shoot a documentary about North Korea for HBO. Their agenda includes a children’s basketball camp hoping the visit will engage in a bit of “basketball diplomacy.”
VICE released a statement saying that correspondent Ryan Duffy invited Kim to visit the U.S., an invite that was met with laughter from Kim.
Relations between the two countries are tense as the U.S. is imposing tough sanctions on North Korea which has pressed ahead with a nuclear weapons program and a missile program, and saying bluntly it is aimed at the U.S.
VICE also said that Kim dined and drank with the Americans after the game. It was put less diplomatically by VICE producer Jason Mojica who tweeted, “Um… so Kim Jong Un just got the #VICEonHBO crew wasted… no really, that happened.”
VICE founder Shane Smith said in the statement, “We here at VICE are very pleased that Kim Jong Un could make it to the game and that everyone enjoyed themselves so much. To see everyone letting their hair down and getting into the match made it all the more worthwhile.”
Rodman, who has been known for his wild outfits that have included a wedding dress, was conservatively attired in a dark jacket along with his trademark lower lip and nose piercings which North Koreans would not have ever seen due to restrictions and customs in terms of dress code. On his arrival in North Korea, Rodman tweeted: “I’m not a politician. Kim Jung Un & North Korean people are basketball fans. I love everyone. Period. End of story. #WORMinNorth Korea.”
Rodman is to visit Panmunjom bordering South Korea before leaving on March 5.
Rodman’s visit came a month after Google CEO Eric Schmidt and former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson visited North Korea. But despite Kim’s eagerness to project a more modern and technologically advanced country, neither Schmidt nor Richardson met with Kim.
Former NBA basketball player Dennis Rodman sits next to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a the taping of the new HBO series, "VICE." (VICE)
This is news ???? more like a freak show. hope Rodman’s ticket to the paradise of North korea was one way.
Posted by: crashdummy38 | February 28, 2013, 11:07 am 11:07 am
The Worm should have been Secretary of State.
Posted by: B. Schultz | February 28, 2013, 11:15 am 11:15 am
Who really cares about Rodman or any other nutcase other than the Pravda Media.
Posted by: nvrat | February 28, 2013, 11:24 am 11:24 am
Dennis, You are a moron. Do you really think that your precence is going to help or hinder?
You have absolutely no business sticking your nose in there. You are a professional basketball player, Do that!
Why would you want to turn this into a circus? This is not “fun and game time”.
Wow, the audacity of people who percieve themselves as important never seems to end. Hey Sean Penn, this is for you too!!!
Posted by: Tobin Grimmer | February 28, 2013, 11:28 am 11:28 am
Perhaps he should move to N Korea. I’m sure the regime will keep him in women and give him
a cush job at one of their concentration camps.
Posted by: Sal | February 28, 2013, 11:30 am 11:30 am
You know, you can tell a lot about a person by the company he keeps.
Posted by: Mike | February 28, 2013, 11:35 am 11:35 am
Oh I can only imagine what the NK propaganda machine will do with images of Rodman. Americans will now forever be portrayed as all of us being like Rodman.
Posted by: NoSpin1600 | February 28, 2013, 11:37 am 11:37 am
Rodman- “you have a friend for life”
Kim Jon Un- “err… thanks?”
Posted by: Herewe Goagain | February 28, 2013, 11:43 am 11:43 am
And Rodman probably has high respect for Jane Fonda too.
Posted by: Beerman309 | February 28, 2013, 11:44 am 11:44 am
Great story. Rodman will leave better relations behind. His two quotes were most diplomatic. He performed above my expectations in chipping away at the hatred.
Posted by: strayaway | February 28, 2013, 11:46 am 11:46 am
Now the starving masses of NK will be forced to swoon over the freak Rodman, and thank Kim that they were able to meet the typical American. (Then, after that, they’ll gladly go back to what they were doing before…. thinking to themselves, “And we’re supposed to the crazy ones?”)
Posted by: GotMullet | February 28, 2013, 11:48 am 11:48 am
He should be sent to a forced labor camp for the rest of his life with his family like so many others who have perished in the North Korean Kill Camps. Then he can talk about how communist dicatatorships are his friend.
Liberals: always in love with fascism.
Posted by: Mallen | February 28, 2013, 11:55 am 11:55 am
China can keep the street trash thug…….
Posted by: Prez Obozo | February 28, 2013, 11:56 am 11:56 am
Perhaps he would be better off staying there
Posted by: Kurt | February 28, 2013, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm
So much for the idea that pro ball players are intelligent.
Posted by: jon | February 28, 2013, 12:04 pm 12:04 pm
Note to self. Cancel those tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters play. Let them make money off the North Korean dictator instead.
Posted by: Ornley Gumfudgen | February 28, 2013, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm
The fact that the first American to meet with Un says it all-for both of them.
Posted by: Morefandave | February 28, 2013, 12:17 pm 12:17 pm
Rodman is another left wing wacko
Posted by: Dennis D | February 28, 2013, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm
When it comes to kooks these two are a matched pair!
Posted by: ghost | February 28, 2013, 12:30 pm 12:30 pm
I vote for Rod(wo)man to leave the U.S. and become a citizen of North Korea. Any other votes?
Posted by: Patriot47 | February 28, 2013, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm
This incompotent nut-job is just aother embarassment to this country.
Posted by: josetoyou | February 28, 2013, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm
They will bomb us for sure.
Posted by: marc Smith | February 28, 2013, 12:43 pm 12:43 pm
Perhaps Mr. Rodman should show some of the same benevolence toward our fighting men and women of the Navy, who no doubt have spent countless tours away from their familes, helping to keep the filthy Kim dynasty at bay all these years.
Posted by: James Madison | February 28, 2013, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm
Support of a Mass Murdering dictator who enslaves millions, who threats of nuclear attacks on millions of American people…… ? Really…… Rodman is truly a sick, traitorous rat of the lowest kind!! It is more egregious that Rodmans family were former slaves, yet RODMAN condones a dictator who literially enslaves millions or people RIGHT NOW!!! Then this HYPOCRYTE deserves to be a slave once again in North Korea.
Posted by: Timothy Johnston | February 28, 2013, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm
I vote for Rod(wo)man to leave the U.S. and become a citizen of North Korea. Any other votes?
Posted by: Patriot47 | February 28, 2013, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm
I’m with you , but Only if he takes the Obama Administrtation with him! Their ideology and their fake leadership abilities would be welcomed by those people! Free Working People cannot afford this madness much longer! What was the voting public thinking last November? Just askin!
Posted by: theeightiesruled1 | February 28, 2013, 12:48 pm 12:48 pm
I heard they are getting married.
Posted by: doubleducks | February 28, 2013, 12:50 pm 12:50 pm
Whatever the mainstream media can do to take the focus off of Bob Woodward today I guess. I can’t imagine anyone cares about Dennis Rodman.
Posted by: Mike | February 28, 2013, 12:52 pm 12:52 pm
As usual, a catchy title that doesn’t reflect what really happened. Rodman for Secretary of State!! He’s no worse than the others.
Posted by: RSVP | February 28, 2013, 12:56 pm 12:56 pm
All he is doing is embarrassing the US.
Posted by: R.P. | February 28, 2013, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm
Rodman knows that he will not be remembered so he has to pull a ghetto stunt like this.
Posted by: Bill Gates | February 28, 2013, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm
Another low information voter leaves his mark!
Posted by: Hitman | February 28, 2013, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm
All i know about Rodman is that he propositions women for oral sex wherever he goes, even when he bumps into them.Thats a lousy human being.
Posted by: Long duck dong | February 28, 2013, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm
Rodman may work for the CIA. No one would know, of course, because that would be classified information.
Posted by: marik | February 28, 2013, 1:15 pm 1:15 pm
Proving once again that the inmates are running the asylum!
Posted by: Hitman | February 28, 2013, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm
You guys skewering Dennis Rodman are very narrow sighted. Our relations with NK (and Cuba) are absolutely retarded, and are based on a severely outdated cold war ideology of containing communism. The fact that we would choose to impose sanctions on an entire country because of crazy or dangerous leaders only plays into the hands of those crazy and dangerous leaders. While they may be repressive, they can grasp to support among their people by uniting them against the evil USA who is responsible for their limited food supply and economic plight.
Posted by: Isaac from Seattle | February 28, 2013, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm
Discusting. An American celebrity helping legitimize a ruler and regime of a country where most of the population is intentionaly beomg starved and where concentration camps are thriving, Either Rodman isn’t aware of this, or if he is, he’s pure evil, not sure which is worse…
Posted by: Nali | February 28, 2013, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm
Rodman. I love you. But you show such ignorance calling a vile dictator a friend for life. The way he censors everything in his country, murders everyone who disagrees or challenges him, has the unstable mindset of not only telling his citizens he is a God, but actually BELIEVING it himself and at the same time building nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Friend for Life – you have some things in commong with Obama. Be BFFs with anyone who loathes American values, freedom and democracy.
By the way, after you leave a newspaper story WILL be published saying he beat you 21-2 in one-on-one and that you had zero offensive rebounds.
Posted by: not nick | February 28, 2013, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm
Well, now we know that Rodman had an absentee/abusive father.
Posted by: Daisy | February 28, 2013, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm
Rodman’s trip brings to mind the trips of Paul Robeson. One loved Stalin. The other loves Kim. The thing in common was they are fans of those who would annihilate the USA. Not much to recommend.
Posted by: readyrover | February 28, 2013, 1:25 pm 1:25 pm
The “Worm”? How apropos.
Posted by: Daisy | February 28, 2013, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm
The Worm rocks baby. At least he is trying to improve relationships with the N. Koreans. Much better effort than those of us worrying about it from the comforts of our homes (not including the Dallas area, or metroplex in general). His heart is in the right place as he spreads love and good will. At least the Worm got an audience with Kim Jong Un, something that Bill Richardson, and Eric Schmidt were not able to do. I give the Worm credit.
Posted by: YaValioCacaWates | February 28, 2013, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm
So many comments complaining about Dennis. I give him credit for trying. Somebody needs to educate the DPRK. While Dennis may not be the ideal person, considering how childish our politicians normally act, Dennis is a better choice.
BTW – unless you’re the one boarding the plane and meeting with Kim, you don’t have much to say about Rodman doing it.
Posted by: CharlesBennett | February 28, 2013, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
Rodman is just as qualified as the President, Kerry, Hagel and Lew, so why not let him be a representative if the US?
Posted by: CmonMann | February 28, 2013, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm
Maybe the rest of Hollywood will follow suit and visit the the motherland of their ideology…..
Posted by: John Appleseed | February 28, 2013, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
So other people can make jokes but I can’t ??
Posted by: jack | February 28, 2013, 1:56 pm 1:56 pm
I’m telling you, liberals are CRAZY!
Posted by: Constance V. Walden | February 28, 2013, 1:56 pm 1:56 pm
I wonder if Rodman and VICE were invited to visit and meet with the children and their parents in the political death camps, too? I don’t guess we’ll be seeing that on HBO.
Posted by: Shredder | February 28, 2013, 1:56 pm 1:56 pm
You always see news reports of North Korea’s famine and how people are really small there because they don’t have food. The picture of Rodman shaking hands with the leader shows they aren’t that different in size, and Rodman is really tall. I’m sure the leaders get all the best foods but still, seems like that has been exaggerated.
Posted by: guest | February 28, 2013, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm
Rodman is the International Man!!! #91 For Life!
Posted by: Southsider1 | February 28, 2013, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm
He definitely is a worm.
The U.S. should send something else to North Korea — our own communist dictator, King Obama, along with all of his commie cabinet members, Czars and congressional democrats.
Then they could send something else. A 10 mega ton hydrogen warhead to air burst right over that festering commie crap-hole of Pyongyang. Oh, what a better world it would be.
Posted by: JohnnyFreedom | February 28, 2013, 2:19 pm 2:19 pm
Does he realize that Kim Jong Un was sitting next to him watching basketball while simultaneously starving his nation to the point of cannibalism?
Posted by: andy | February 28, 2013, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm
The Harlem GlobeTrotters have been breaking down fences and building bridges for the United State of America for nearly 90 years. Performing before World Leaders, Kings, Queens, and heads of State to small crowds in High School gymnasiums, they bring good will through entertainment. The Rodman trip is just what is needed for the young Kim Jon Eun. The next time the GlobTrotters are in your town take your kids to the game, they will understand; and perhaps you will get it also.
Posted by: Fareed Ansari | February 28, 2013, 2:28 pm 2:28 pm
“you have a friend for life” even though the dress code in your country is so strict a person could be thrown in jail for face piercings?! wow dennis, way to befriend a dictator that literally oppresses his people. hypocrite.
Posted by: lance | February 28, 2013, 2:33 pm 2:33 pm
No wonder NK wants to nuke us….
Posted by: paul j | February 28, 2013, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm
Dennis who?
Posted by: DAR | February 28, 2013, 2:42 pm 2:42 pm
Some things you just look at and go “What the …….”, that picture is certainly one of them.
Posted by: pgdion | February 28, 2013, 2:42 pm 2:42 pm
Maybe Rodman can do some foreign relations since he is there and get some nuclear talks underway bc this current administration can’t.
Posted by: Iassume | February 28, 2013, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
Rodman’s an autistotard with confirmed brain damage from alcohol abuse. He’s barely human anymore. Wouldn’t worry about his delusion.
Posted by: Gelgamark | February 28, 2013, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
Everyone looks happy except for that row of minders right behind Kim and Rodman. They’re really giving that other black guy the stare-down.
Posted by: Marbran | February 28, 2013, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm
I second the hypothesis that Rodman may be working for the CIA. If so, it would be a gamble, but maybe a good one. Time will tell. This isn’t about left or right wing–it is in the world’s interest that some measure of goodwill be achieved. Baby steps, people.
Posted by: No One | February 28, 2013, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm
Rodman sold his soul to Satan a long time ago, so this should not be a surprise.
Posted by: JRT | February 28, 2013, 3:28 pm 3:28 pm
Maybe that’s all Junior needs. Just one “friend”, and he’ll settle down about that nuclear B.S. Just needs a little love!
Posted by: Advocatus Diaboli | February 28, 2013, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm
Rodman doesn’t have s clue….
Posted by: HarveyMushman | February 28, 2013, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm
I think you people need more fiber in your diets. What the h e double hockey sticks did Rodman ever do to you people?
Posted by: Eileen | February 28, 2013, 3:34 pm 3:34 pm
ha…maybe he is playing the real life role from his movie “soldier of fortune” as part of a covert government organization infiltrating enemy states…
Posted by: mark | February 28, 2013, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm
Rodman proclaims loyalty as a “friend for life” to a mass murderer, who is also a slave owner of many, many real people. This makes Dennis Rodman a very bad person.
Posted by: JapesMacfarland | February 28, 2013, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm
one thing I don ‘t know. what is VICE I couldn’t find a definition of the acronym in the article
Posted by: D Mayeda | February 28, 2013, 3:51 pm 3:51 pm
Kim Jong Un was a huge basketball fan. Who knows!
Posted by: SW | February 28, 2013, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm
What do we have to do to get him to stay there? They make a cute couple…
Posted by: Joe Schmo | February 28, 2013, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm
I thought John Kerry went there after he went to Cambodia..
Posted by: AliVonGoldberg | February 28, 2013, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm
I have to think along the lines that once you give people a taste of what freedom is, they will long for it more.
Posted by: doormat | February 28, 2013, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm
When Rodman tells Kim Jong Un he “has a friend for life”, it is not clear whether he is referring to our Dear Leader, Madelaine Aintbright or both.
Posted by: GozieBoy | February 28, 2013, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
Rodman Haters: Dont you realize that this trip had to be approved/sanctioned by the highest level of the fedral government? N. Korea poses a threat to world stability and peace. I am sure that Mr. Rodman received advice from the State Department as to what he should say, and that his comments are designed to help defuse a tense situation. Mr. Rodman is performing a patriotic act, and apparently doing so very well.
Posted by: Billy Kirk | February 28, 2013, 5:26 pm 5:26 pm
Pathetic!
Posted by: kickk | February 28, 2013, 5:26 pm 5:26 pm
Nevermind the fact that this Marxist dictator has forced labor camps that are as bad or worse than Stalin’s gulags; where people deemed to be the slightest threat to the Kim family’s grip on power (and even their family members) are sent to work themselves to death. Fools like Rodman, Danny Glover and other’s in the entertainment biz seem to have warped souls. Is Rodman really this incredibly stupid? His “friend” should take him on a tour of his concentration camps. I bet Dennis would get a thrill out of that.
Posted by: Al | February 28, 2013, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm
Panderer. Rodman is one of those types of people that get caught up in the moment. He’s an idiot with no true intelligence, and does not represent America. He’s also a broke ex-NBA star, who’s new profession is fame whoring. Don’t think for a minute that he isn’t loving all the media attention. Money is god more than ever for these loser’s. Move along, there’s nothing to see.
Posted by: Matt | February 28, 2013, 5:43 pm 5:43 pm
…110 – 110 draw???
…The Harlem Globetrotters against a bunch of 5 foot tall Koreans???
…Ah,,,that math does not calculate…
Posted by: DearMom | February 28, 2013, 6:00 pm 6:00 pm
Lil Ki9m has a ” friend for life ” does that mean they are going to share their clothes?
Posted by: david5300 | February 28, 2013, 6:01 pm 6:01 pm
The residents of NK that have been eating their family members even their kids are happy to know Mr. Rodman is a friend of life to the dear leader.
Posted by: Early | February 28, 2013, 6:10 pm 6:10 pm
The set is complete, we now have two boobs in North Korea.
Posted by: DavidW | February 28, 2013, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm
On right now: Dennis Rodman, diplomat. Up next: Nadya Suleman, family planner. And later: Lorena Bobbitt, urologist.
Posted by: Darkangel | February 28, 2013, 6:37 pm 6:37 pm
Maybe he should move there and see how he really treats people who do not worship Kim young un.
Posted by: Mimi | February 28, 2013, 6:56 pm 6:56 pm
Lets hope it was a one way ticket. He is without a doubt a complete embarassment to the human race . Here is a complete moron dealing with a country of morons..
Posted by: paul sweeney | February 28, 2013, 8:29 pm 8:29 pm