Article Summary:
CNN reports Dennis Rodman’s fourth trip into North Korea to train its basketball team for an exhibition match against former U.S. NBA players in the capital city of Pyongyang. Dennis Rodman, was reported to call Kim Jong Un, Dictator of North Korea, a “very good guy” and “friend for life.” Rodman was on his latest round of basketball diplomacy, during a time of political uncertainties. Rodman, visited North Korean short after the public display of Kim Jong Un’s uncle being executed, and U.S. missionary prisoner Kenneth Bae’s incarceration. Rodman explained how he was not there to take the place of U.S. diplomats, but use basketball as a medium to get above the silos of culture and country and see Kim Jong Un a little clearer. He finally mentions, how his basketball diplomacy is focused on helping President Obama get out of his silo, and see a way around the current failed efforts between the U.S. and North Korea.
Was Dennis Rodman’s actions reflective of someone who understands more or less? Was his attempt to see Kim Jong Un and North Korea from 30K feet a mistake? What is clear is how Dennis Rodman, a seemingly nobody, learned more about Kim Jong Un in four days, than any other U.S. official has since he took office after the death of his father Kim Jong II. When people get out of their silos and see the big picture and how it all relates, maybe then, they can be at peace with what they observe.
Article reference:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/19/world/asia/north-korea-dennis-rodman/index.html?iid=article_sidebar
Steven Sifferman
Rizwan Assainar