Dennis Rodman and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un
embrace at a
banquet in honor of Rodman and the Harlem Globetrotters.
Rodman
has gotten a closer look at the young Kim than any American so far.
Kim Jong-un Praises Dennis Rodman and American Delegation (RodongSinmun, North Korea)
Will the
basketball diplomacy of Dennis Rodman and The Harlem Globetrotters bear fruit? According
to this news item from North Korea's state-run RodongSinmun, after approaching Kim Jong-un to bow before him, Rodman was permitted to sit next
to him and meet Kim's wife, Ri Sol-ju. After two games between teams that combined American
and Korean players, Kim-jong-un said he expected this
to be the first of many more cultural exchanges between the United States and
North Korea.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un applauds along with legendary NBA badboy Dennis Rodman, after what appears to have been a very successful cultural exchange, Feb. 28.
A mixed basketball game that included American basketball
players of The Harlem Globetrotters and the team of the Korean University of
Physical Education took place at the RyugyongJongJu Yong Gymnasium on Feb.
28. Among the Americans was former NBA star Dennis Rodman.
With great interest, sports fans and other Pyongyang
citizens packed the gymnasium to watch the game. Among the audience were
foreign diplomatic envoys, representatives of international bodies, military
attaches and other foreign guests with their families.
Dear respected Marshal Kim Jong-un
and his wife Ri Sol-ju came
to the gymnasium to watch. Greatly excited about seeing the game along with Kim
Jong-un, the players and audience broke into
thunderous cheers.
Dennis Rodman was also at the auditorium and came over to
offer a bow to Kim Jong -un. Kim Jong-un
warmly welcomed him and permitted Rodman to sit next to him. Brett Dennis
Meister and Jeffrey Raymond Munn also sat nearby.
At first, amid the great attention of the audience, the
American basketball players held a demonstration game. They showed a variety of
special basketball skills that were well worth being highly acclaimed.
Rodman has dinner with Kim Jong-il and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, at
a banquet held in honor of the visiting Americans, Feb. 28.
Then, amid an elated atmosphere, there was a mixed game involving
the Americans and DPRK players. Divided into red and
white teams, the players carried out a fierce seesaw battle.
In the first and second rounds, the red team won 60 to 47,
thanks to some long-distance shooting, a dunk shot and other skills.
The audience enthusiastically cheered the players as they
showed off their amazing talents. During breaks, a women's brass band played
glamorous rhythmic numbers. Female Korean artists performed national dances, and
a demonstration by Taekwondo athletes added to the cheerful mood.
Korean basketball players coordinated well with
the Americans, and fully displayed their abilities. The American players did
a good job in the game, and made a good impression on the audience.
The white team combined man-to-man and fast break formations
on defense - and the game ended in a 110-110 draw.
Kim Jong-un applauded both teams
for a well-played game.
Posted By
Worldmeets.US
Dennis Rodman expressed thanks to Kim Jong-un,
saying excitedly over the microphone that his visit to Pyongyang had been impressive
and a great privilege.
He also said he was very pleased to be able to mix with citizens
of Pyongyang - adding that it is regrettable that U.S.-DPRK
relations DPRK are so poor, but that the Korean
people are his friends, and in particular, he considers Marshal Kim Jong-un a close friend.
As a gift from the American guests, Kim Jong-un
was presented with a uniform of the famed Harlem Globetrotters.
In the evening, in honor of Rodman and his party, Kim Jong-un was invited to a dinner hosted by the DPRK Olympic Committee. There, he met and conversed with
them in an amicable atmosphere. Kim Jong-un said he was
pleased that they had visited Pyongyang to provide young people, who are fond
of basketball, with an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful game.
Kim Jong-un offered the
expectation that sports exchanges like these would become more frequent, contributing
to mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries. And he said he
hoped by being in Pyongyang, the visitors would become familiar with the people
of the DPRK - especially with its basketball fans.
Rodman said that for him, being the first American to meet Kim
Jong-un and his wife was the greatest pleasure. The
American basketball star also expressed his hope that sports exchanges between
the two countries would continue.
He wished Kim Jong-un good health,
and heartily thanked him for his warm hospitality. The dinner proceeded in an
amicable atmosphere.
