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Rodman apology for US North Korea detainee comments | Rodman apology for US North Korea detainee comments |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Former US basketball player Dennis Rodman has apologised for angry comments he made about an American man detained in North Korea. | |
In an interview with CNN from North Korea, Rodman had appeared to point blame at Kenneth Bae, who has been jailed for 15 years by Pyongyang. | |
In a statement, he apologised and said he had been drinking. | In a statement, he apologised and said he had been drinking. |
Rodman is in North Korea for a basketball match to mark the birthday of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. | Rodman is in North Korea for a basketball match to mark the birthday of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. |
The match was played on Wednesday and was attended by Mr Kim, to whom Rodman sang Happy Birthday. | The match was played on Wednesday and was attended by Mr Kim, to whom Rodman sang Happy Birthday. |
Rodman is the most high-profile American to meet the young leader, who he describes as a friend. | Rodman is the most high-profile American to meet the young leader, who he describes as a friend. |
His visit comes with all eyes on North Korea in the wake of the execution of Chang Song-thaek, Mr Kim's uncle and a powerful figure once seen as a key influence. | His visit comes with all eyes on North Korea in the wake of the execution of Chang Song-thaek, Mr Kim's uncle and a powerful figure once seen as a key influence. |
'Overwhelmed' | 'Overwhelmed' |
In his statement, Rodman said he took full responsibility for his actions. | In his statement, Rodman said he took full responsibility for his actions. |
"It had been a very stressful day. Some of my team-mates were leaving because of pressure from their families and business associates," he wrote. | "It had been a very stressful day. Some of my team-mates were leaving because of pressure from their families and business associates," he wrote. |
"My dreams of basketball diplomacy was quickly falling apart. I had been drinking. It's not an excuse but by the time the interview happened I was upset. I was overwhelmed. It's not an excuse, it's just the truth." | "My dreams of basketball diplomacy was quickly falling apart. I had been drinking. It's not an excuse but by the time the interview happened I was upset. I was overwhelmed. It's not an excuse, it's just the truth." |
The former NBA star's controversial comments came as he made his fourth visit to North Korea. | The former NBA star's controversial comments came as he made his fourth visit to North Korea. |
Rodman had been asked several times in the past whether he could use his relationship with Mr Kim to discuss Kenneth Bae, a Korean-American sentenced to 15 years' hard labour in May 2013. | Rodman had been asked several times in the past whether he could use his relationship with Mr Kim to discuss Kenneth Bae, a Korean-American sentenced to 15 years' hard labour in May 2013. |
North Korea said that Mr Bae - described as both a tour operator and Christian missionary - had used his tourism business to plot sedition. | North Korea said that Mr Bae - described as both a tour operator and Christian missionary - had used his tourism business to plot sedition. |
In the interview with CNN, Rodman lost his cool, appearing to suggest Kenneth Bae was at fault. | In the interview with CNN, Rodman lost his cool, appearing to suggest Kenneth Bae was at fault. |
"If you understand what Kenneth Bae did... Do you understand what he did in this country? ... I would love to speak on this," he said. | "If you understand what Kenneth Bae did... Do you understand what he did in this country? ... I would love to speak on this," he said. |
Mr Bae's sister described Rodman's comments as appalling and said she was concerned they would hurt efforts to free her brother. | Mr Bae's sister described Rodman's comments as appalling and said she was concerned they would hurt efforts to free her brother. |
North Korea has in the past used US detainees to secure visits from high-profile officials. | North Korea has in the past used US detainees to secure visits from high-profile officials. |
Rodman has faced strong criticism from rights groups over his visit to North Korea, which conducted its third nuclear test last year. | Rodman has faced strong criticism from rights groups over his visit to North Korea, which conducted its third nuclear test last year. |
State Department officials have made it clear he is not representing the US. | State Department officials have made it clear he is not representing the US. |
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