At the Sunan airport in Pyongyang, Rodman declared it “amazing” that the North Koreans were “so honest.” He said that Kim Jong-Il, the young Kim’s father, and Kim Il-Sung the founder of the North Korean government, and Jong-Un’s grandfather, were “Great leaders.” “He’s proud, his country likes him. Not like him, love him, love him,” Rodman said “Guess what, I love him! The guy’s really awesome."
The Times of India published an interesting point of view on the meeting of the basketball aficionados. It reported Rodman as saying, “Kim is like his grandfather and his father, who are great leaders. He is an awesome kid, very honest and loves his wife so much.” At this point, Dennis Rodman may have more knowledge of the personal side of Kim than any other American. There is little known about his high fashion wife, Ri Sol-Ju, who was unknown globally until just last July.
Critics rightly will mention the North Korean prison camps where enemies of that state are held for life, sometimes tortured, while their family members are held as well. The North Korean people are hungry and apparently only the military receives relief. Rodman had only this to say: “We do the same thing,” perhaps a reference to the prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay, the American detention camp in Cuba, and the waterboarding extensively used there.
Photo: UKGuardian
Article comments
1 - John Lake
the editorial ax tends to diminish some of the final sentences. I predict the world will end on March 11, as Kim responds to joint military excercises conducted by South Korea, and the United States.
2 - Dr Dreadful
That's a relief. I've got a dentist's appointment on the 12th...
3 - Clavitos
Rodman was a great B-Ball player, no doubt about that. As a human being, he's kind of a wierdo; I think Kim was just taking advantage of Rodman's publicity magnet status to get himself some "good" face time in the world press.
And Kim can use it: the Kims, grandfather, father and now the kid, have been rather unsavory characters on the world stage for three generations now. How appropriate that he would use Rodman, instead of say, Bill Bradley.
Of course, Bradley's much too smart to fall for it.
4 - John Lake
You may be giving the young Kim a little too much credit for planning and preparation. It seems as though Rodman made the arrangements with the HBO series episode in mind. The fact is it now seems that some NK internal political force has control over Kim Jong-Un, and may be punishing him for his high level of visibility. My prediction was hyperbole, but we might expect some real action.
This in line with Secretary of State John Kerry and what some call “giddy optimism” over new talks in Iran. Those pundits are concerned that Kerry should travel to China, for some clear dialogue, and they might agree that Russia needs be consulted about the state of affairs in Pyongyang.
5 - John Lake
New sanctions on North Korea designed to prevent their further advancement toward nuclear weapon capacity are the strongest ever placed on a resistant nation. Since North Korea has been getting around financial sanctions by carrying massive sums of money in large briefcases, or suitcases, these containers will now be subject to inspection. This restriction is sure to anger the already threatening North Korean administration.
6 - Clavitos
You're probably right about Kim's youth and lack of sophistication, John, but don't forget who molded and trained him all his life; and I bet those two (his grandfather and father) mean as snakes as they were, would have beaten it into him if necessary.
But in any case, my reference to Kim in that context was all-encompassing, to include all his handlers and party apparatchiks who actually run the NK show.
7 - Dr Joseph S Maresca
At some point, Dennis Rodman should try to talk some sense into the head of the North Korean leader. Maybe the basketball forum is a way to do that. There is a practical logistical problem. Suppose the North Koreans decided to detain Rodman. That could become a very difficult situation for our State Department to resolve.
8 - John Lake
It seems odd that the news is calling the South Korean/American military maneuvers a response to Kim’s threats, when in fact that have been planned for months and are regularly scheduled this time of year.
Last year, when Jong-Il was the N.K. leader, the drills aimed artillery toward the North, but far short of any danger to that area. When Jong-Il complained, the armaments were pointed in another direction, to avoid any appearance of aggression. So, now if we direct any shelling to the north, we will be in fact provocative.
In another related issue, our new Sect. of State, John Kerry, was supportive of Rodman’s visit and intentions, stating that the American people want closer ties with North Korea.
9 - Dr Joseph S Maresca
I agree. We have to keep all options open when it comes to N.Korea.
10 - John Lake
The U.S. and South Korea are to blame for increased tensions in the region and must apologize for their provocations, the official Korean Central News Agency said, citing a statement from the National Defense Commission. Kim Jong Un’s regime yesterday said negotiations are possible only after North Korea has enough nuclear weapons to deter an attack.