Dennis Rodman ‘Sorry’ for Not Helping Kenneth Bae
Published at(BEIJING) — Former NBA star Dennis Rodman says he’s sorry for not being able to do anything to help Kenneth Bae, an American citizen detained in North Korea.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry I couldn’t do anything. I’m sorry,” Rodman told reporters in Beijing.
“It’s not my fault. I’m sorry. I just want to do some good stuff, that’s all I want to do. That’s all,” he continued.
Rodman was in North Korea last week leading a delegation of former NBA players for an exhibition match against the country’s national team in celebration of dictator Kim Jong-un’s birthday.
In an interview with CNN anchor Chris Cuomo last Tuesday, Rodman became agitated when he was repeatedly challenged on why he’s not using his connection with Kim to help Bae, 45, who was arrested in November 2012.
“The one thing about politics, Kenneth Bae did one thing. If you understand — if you understand what Kenneth Bae did,” said Rodman. “Do you understand what he did? In this country?”
The North Koreans accuse Bae, an American missionary, of “hostile acts” and attempting to foment a coup.
Rodman contends that his trips to North Korea are part of his “basketball diplomacy.”
The former basketball player told reporters on Monday that he plans to return to the country next month.
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