How NBA wild man Dennis Rodman became an unofficial ambassador to North Korea

Dennis Rodman, former NBA star and infamous "bad boy," has worn many titles in his lifetime: basketball icon, reality TV star, and friend of dictators. Yet few could have predicted that he’d one day be known as an informal ambassador to North Korea, cozying up with Kim Jong-un himself.

The journey began in September 2013, when Rodman visited North Korea with members of the Harlem Globetrotters as part of a VICE documentary project. For the flamboyant, tattooed NBA Hall of Famer, it was his first time in the country — a far cry from the glitz and glamour of American celebrity life.

North Korea, a closed-off country with strict governmental control and a notorious human rights record, doesn’t exactly scream "destination hotspot" for most Americans.

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But Rodman wasn’t there to judge. He was there to meet Kim Jong-un, the enigmatic leader of North Korea, who also happens to be a huge basketball fan — and, surprisingly, a fan of Rodman himself.

In fact, Kim reportedly idolized the 1990s Chicago Bulls, particularly the "bad boy" forward whose aggressive play style and on-court antics helped lead the Bulls to multiple NBA championships, as The Washington Post recounted.

According to ABC News, Rodman’s first meeting with Kim sparked an unusual friendship that would continue for years. In a surreal turn of events, the two bonded over their shared love of basketball, with Rodman even calling Kim "a friend for life."

Image Credit:  Screenshot YouTube @ABC News

Rodman, who’s known for his unfiltered speech and spontaneous behavior, didn’t mince words about his affection for the North Korean leader. Kim, in return, seemed to appreciate Rodman’s unapologetic style.

What followed was a series of high-profile visits to North Korea, with Rodman acting as an unlikely go-between for the United States and one of its most isolated adversaries. Though Rodman has no formal diplomatic training, he didn’t let that stop him from stepping into the role.

He offered a stream of praise for Kim, which drew criticism from human rights groups and U.S. officials alike. For Rodman, though, it was all about friendship, not politics, as the Guardian reported.

His visits weren’t just social calls, either. Rodman took it upon himself to promote "basketball diplomacy," organizing exhibition games with North Korean players and bringing American athletes to play on North Korean soil.

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In 2014, he even sang "Happy Birthday" to Kim Jong-un in front of a crowd in Pyongyang — a moment that instantly became internet fodder.

Image Credit: Screenshot YouTube @SkySports

Despite his earnest intentions, Rodman’s self-appointed ambassadorship often landed him in hot water back home. Critics argued that he was providing a propaganda boost to a regime with a troubling human rights record.

As the Guardian reported, even the US government distanced itself from his visits, with officials repeatedly stating that Rodman’s trips to North Korea were private and had no official endorsement.

The backlash, however, didn’t seem to faze Rodman, who remained resolute in his mission. In interviews, he defended his friendship with Kim, insisting that his visits were about creating a personal connection rather than endorsing a regime. "I’m not a politician," he famously said, "I’m just trying to make a difference in the world."

Rodman’s oddball approach to diplomacy reached a peak in 2018, when the historic summit between then-President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un took place in Singapore.

Rodman wasn’t directly involved in the talks, but he made a high-profile appearance in Singapore nonetheless, even tearing up on live TV over the significance of the meeting.

For Rodman, the summit was a validation of his efforts and, in his words:  "Today is a great day for everybody, Singapore, Tokyo, China, everybody … it’s a great day. I’m here to see it. I’m so happy," he told CNN live.

While Rodman’s diplomatic impact is debatable, his foray into North Korean relations has brought plenty of attention to the Hermit Kingdom and his unique role within it.

His approach has left the world scratching its head: a former NBA star with rainbow-colored hair and a rebellious streak, cozying up with a reclusive dictator? It’s not the kind of diplomacy anyone saw coming.

In the years since, Rodman has continued to make headlines with his occasional comments on North Korea, though his visits have dwindled. Whether his presence made any lasting difference in U.S.-North Korea relations is questionable, but Rodman insists that he helped lay the groundwork for dialogue, however unconventional it may have been.

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