North Korean leader Kim Jong Un distanced himself from former NBA star Dennis Rodman following an alleged heavy drinking incident during a visit to Pyongyang, according to reports. The unexpected diplomatic bond, forged in 2013, faced strain after the retired basketball player reportedly behaved disorderly at a local hotel, xportsnews.com reported.
The 2013 Pyongyang Meeting That Launched an Unlikely Friendship
Dennis Rodman first traveled to North Korea in 2013 at the invitation of Kim Jong Un, a well-known basketball enthusiast. During that initial trip, Rodman sat next to the North Korean leader to watch a basketball exhibition game. The visit marked the beginning of a series of trips that continued through June 2017, during which Rodman visited the country four more times.
Reports of Hotel Disorder During the 2014 Visit
British tabloid newspaper the Daily Star reported that the friendship cooled after a volatile incident during Rodman’s 2014 trip. Citing information referenced by The Washington Post, the Daily Star stated that Kim ended close ties after Rodman allegedly became heavily intoxicated and made a mess in a hotel room. According to those accounts, the former Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls star vomited in a hotel hallway, and urinated and defecated in the hotel, prompting Kim to begin distancing himself from the relationship.
Kim Jong Un hosting Dennis Rodman in North Korea in 2013 pic.twitter.com/7MEWBoFAEQ
The Diplomatic Context and Donald Trump’s Remarks
Speculation surrounding the current state of their relationship emerged as U.S. political figures draw attention to past diplomatic channels. On the 2nd, U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned Dennis Rodman during a public address, recalling Rodman’s previous involvement as a bridge between Trump and Kim during Trump’s first presidential term. Media outlets have since questioned whether Rodman might play a role should diplomatic outreach resume, though reports suggest the personal dynamic between Rodman and Kim has deteriorated.
Unverified Claims and Anonymous Sources
Media reports detailing the alleged hotel room incident rely on anonymous sources and have not been officially confirmed. The Daily Star noted that Kim Jong Un has never issued a statement addressing the rumored fallout, leaving the specific details of the split dependent on unverified accounts.
