There's even more bizarre news in the Dennis Rodman and North Korea saga. The retired Hall of Fame and former NBA star allegedly led a singalong of "Happy Birthday" to the country's dictator Kim Jong Un on Wednesday, Un's 31st birthday.
The eccentric athlete was in the country accompanied by a handful of other former NBA players to compete in a basketball exhibition between his squad and a North Korean team in honor of Un.
North Korean state media reports claim Rodman's team lost 47-39, but not before the selfsame hoopster led Pyongyang Indoor Stadium in singing "Happy Birthday," and then reportedly bowing to the secretive country's leader.
According to CNN, Rodman again made himself the center of a human rights controversy when during an interview with the network's program "New Day," hosted by Chris Cuomo. Cuomo questioned Rodman about Kenneth Bae, the American who was sentenced to 15 years in a North Korean labor camp based on charges alleging Bae planned to bring down the regime through religious activities and activism.
Cuomo asked Rodman whether he would inquire or intercede on behalf of Bae and his sentence, to which Rodman replied, "No, no, no, you tell me. Why is he held captive here in this country? Why?" Worldwide Rodman's quote has garnered negative feedback, with many - including Bae's family - saying he is implying Bae did something wrong, something that was befitting of imprisonment.
Unfortunately, this seems to only be another chapter in the book of strange behavior and befriending on Rodman's part. Rodman, who describes his travels to North Korea as a "basketball diplomacy project," according to CNN, visited the country three times in 2013.
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