The world holds its breath every time NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman visits North Korea. Rodman landed in Pyongyang on Tuesday. He is one of the few Americans who has had the honor, or dishonor, of meeting North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. Rodman's timing, yet again, is remarkable. The tension between Washington and Pyongyang has augmented recently due to the incarceration of four Americans in North Korea. Suddenly, Rodman miraculously appears in an airport carrying hopes to save the day. This is his fifth visit to North Korea. His good friend Kim Jung Un must be ecstatic, but what about Donald Trump?
Rodman and North Korea's never-ending story
Rodman told CNN he was holding no diplomatic role, but simply "bringing sports to North Korea," as he prepared to embark on his trip. Rodman said he was ready to do "something that's pretty positive" during his visit, but denied that he would bring up the issue of the American detainees with North Korean officials.
One American in the North Korean soil who did get good news was student Otto Warmbier, who had been detained there for the past 17 months and was, now, finally released. Michael Anton, US national security spokesman, told CNN that Rodman was in no way linked with Warmbier's release.
Anton also stated that Rodman was not acting on behalf of the US government and believed that Rodman had not spoken with President Trump.
One can remember Rodman being a contestant on Donald Trump's television reality "Celebrity Apprentice." Trump has become more than a celebrity ever since he took office, and Rodman is still an apprentice. However, it is now when Trump is in no position to tell Rodman what to do.
Kim Jong Un's purpose with Rodman
On his arrival at Beijing airport, Rodman declined to respond to CNN's questions about any potential meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
However, Rodman did refer to Trump by saying, "I'm pretty sure he's happy at the fact that I'm over here trying to accomplish something that we both need."
The thing is, after five visits and the adjacent media turmoil, it is still unclear what Mr. Rodman has been and is trying to accomplish. Apart from giving publicity to PotCoin, which is becoming a form of payment for the cannabis industry, by wearing a black shirt bearing its logo this week, Rodman's purpose in these visits, if any, is questionable.
Kim Jong Un is apparently a big basketball fan. Rodman is an eccentric NBA Hall of Famer. By welcoming Rodman, the North Korean leader can spur confusion and tumult within the enemy's media, but nothing more than that. In this case, Un is a mere puppeteer who has found in Rodman a source of amusement. Overreacting to any position Rodman might be taking to bridge the gap between the two nations would be pointless.
Kim Jong Un is not crazy enough to start a fight with the US, Donald Trump is crazy enough to turn a deaf ear in this case, and Dennis Rodman is not quite the prototypical diplomat. No, superheroes do not exist, and yes, the world will continue its course every time Rodman sets foot in the dark world of the other Korea.
