Rodman apologizes for comments on US citizen jailed in North Korea.
Dennis Rodman apologized Thursday for his comments this week about US citizen Kenneth Bae's detention in North Korea.
Dennis Rodman apologized Thursday for his comments this week about US citizen Kenneth Bae's detention in North Korea, where the eccentric former NBA star celebrated leader Kim Jong Un's birthday. In a statement through his publicist, Rodman apologized to the family of Bae, who has been jailed since November 2012, as well as to his own management team, the US basketball players who joined him in North Korea, and even the CNN interviewer to whom he made the comments.
"I embarrassed a lot of people," Rodman said. "I'm very sorry. At this point I should know better than to make political statements. I'm truly sorry." He took "full responsibility" but said he had spoken on a very stressful day."
"My dream of basketball diplomacy was quickly falling apart. I had been drinking," Rodman said. "It's not an excuse, but by the time the interview happened I was upset. I was overwhelmed. It's not an excuse -it's just the truth."
In a CNN interview, Rodman had defended his fourth trip since February to North Korea, where he met with Kim, whom he described as a "friend for life." Asked if he would raise Bae's case with Kim, Rodman snapped back. "Do you understand what (Bae) did in this country?" Rodman asked. "No, no, no, you tell me, you tell me. Why is he held captive here in this country, why? ... I would love to speak on this."
Bae, who reportedly conducted religious services while leading a tour group, was accused of committing hostile acts against North Korea, which is ruled by a totalitarian regime with one of the worst humanrights records in the world. He was convicted in April by the North Korean Supreme Court and sentenced to 15 years of hard labour.
Rodman's comments attracted widespread condemnation and ridicule. The Washington Post on Thursday called him "a dictator's propagandist." The editorial charged that Rodman was trying to rehabilitate himself "and his bank account" by putting a good face on "one of the world's cruelest and most brutal dictators."
White House spokesman Jay Carney said this week he would not "dignify' Rodman's outburst with a response. "I'm simply going to say that we remain gravely concerned about Kenneth Bae's health and continue to urge DPRK authorities to grant his amnesty and immediate release on humanitarian grounds," Carney said.
US authorities stressed that Rodman travelled as a private citizen. US Senator John McCain, a former presidential nominee of the conservative Republican Party, called Rodman "a dangerous idiot because he gives good propaganda to ... arguably, the most brutal, crazy man on Earth."
-Sapa