Emotional Rodman apologizes on return from DPRK

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An emotional Dennis Rodman appeared to break down on Monday as he apologized on his return from a trip to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, where he sang Happy Birthday to top leader Kim Jong-un.

The former NBA star was widely criticized for refusing to bring up the plight of a US missionary detained in the DPRK during his weeklong visit.

The former Chicago Bulls player was also accused of pandering to DPRK authorities during the trip, which featured an exhibition basketball match involving other former NBA stars to mark Kim’s birthday.

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has described Rodman's actions as "treason."

Rodman said he wanted to "show people that no matter what is going on in the world, for one day ... not politics, not all this stuff," before launching into an apology.

"I am sorry. I am not the president. I am not an ambassador. I am Dennis Rodman. Just an individual, just showing the world the fact that we can actually get along and be happy for one day," Rodman said, before his voice broke and he put his hands to his face.

Rodman has developed an unlikely relationship with the DPRK leader since making his first trip there in February, when he declared Kim a "friend for life."

The former power forward was asked whether he raised the issue of Kenneth Bae, who is detained by the DPRK.

In an interview with CNN last week, Rodman delivered an angry tirade in which he appeared to suggest that the missionary merited his 15-year prison sentence.

"I'm sorry I couldn't do anything," Rodman said, in comments echoing those of his publicist last week.

Kim, who was educated in Switzerland, is reported to be a huge fan of basketball and especially of the Chicago Bulls, with whom Rodman won three NBA titles alongside Michael Jordan in the 1990s.

About the broadcaster:

Anne Ruisi is an editor at China Daily online with more than 30 years of experience as a newspaper editor and reporter. She has worked at newspapers in the U.S., including The Birmingham News in Alabama and City Newspaper of Rochester, N.Y.