Dennis Rodman says he's praying for Kim Jong-un, hopes reports of ill health are 'just a rumor'
Legendary basketball player, Dennis Rodman, on Wednesday, April 22, said that he is "praying" for his good friend, the North Korea Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, after reports emerged that the leader is seriously ill as he recovers from heart surgery.
Rodman said that he hopes the reports, which have not been officially confirmed, that the 36-year-old Pyongyang leader was in grave danger are "just a rumor," according to TMZ. The initial reports of Kim's health status emerged from South Korean media, which first reported it on April 12, saying that Kim had undergone a cardiovascular system procedure in North Pyongyang because of "excessive smoking, obesity and overworking."
US media, a week later, reportedly received a tip from an intelligence official that the dictator was indeed in a critical condition.
"I hope it's just a rumor that Marshal Kim Jong-un is sick," Rodman said. "Hopefully, I will find out more soon. There is still so much work we have to do between both the USA and DPRK," the former Chicago Bull star said. "If he is not feeling well, I am praying for his speedy recovery, so that both my friends [President Trump & Marshal Kim] can continue towards a peaceful success."
Kim's health came under scrutiny after he gave a miss to an annual visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun for the 108th birthday of his late grandfather, state founder Kim Il-sung, last week, on April 15. However, it is possible that the North Korean leader may have been advised to stay away from public gatherings because of coronavirus despite the state's claim that the country has zero cases of Covid-19.
The state's claims are not yet confirmed and appear dubious considering widespread coronavirus outbreaks in neighboring countries like South Korea and China.
Rodman shares a bizarre friendship with the North Korean leader, and was, for a brief time, considered the unofficial US ambassador to the nation. The basketball legend traveled to North Korea in February 2013 to host a series of basketball exhibitions, becoming the first American citizen to personally meet Kim Jong-un. After their meeting, Rodman said that Kim was a "friend for life," and instructed then-President Barack Obama to "pick up the phone and call Kim."
The 58-year-old also suggested that Obama and Kim could bond over their love for basketball. "My mission is to break the ice between hostile countries. Why it's been left to me to smooth things over, I don't know. Dennis Rodman, of all people. Keeping us safe is really not my job...But I'll tell you this: If I don't finish in the top three for the next Nobel Peace Prize, something's seriously wrong," he told Sports Illustrated.
Rodman returned to Pyongyang in September 2013 for another meeting with Kim, and became the first person to reveal that he has a daughter and described him as a "great dad." His final trip to North Korea was in 2017, where he met with national Olympic athletes and basketball players. Although he did not meet Kim during his last visit, he gave him multiple gifts, including a copy of Donald Trump's 1987 book, Art of the Deal.