SPORTS MISSION
Basketball diplomacy in North Korea as US student is released
Former basketball star Dennis Rodman's visit coincides with the North's release of US student Otto Warmbier
Beijing — Former National Basketball Association star Dennis Rodman arrived in North Korea on Tuesday, returning to the isolated nuclear-armed country where he has previously met leader Kim Jong-un. Rodman was surrounded by journalists when he arrived at Beijing’s airport to catch a flight for the North Korean capital, which he said he was visiting as a private citizen. "I’m just trying to open the door," Rodman told reporters, wearing sunglasses and a dark shirt and baseball cap with the logo of his trip’s sponsor, a crypto-currency provider for the legal marijuana industry. "My purpose is to actually see if I can keep bringing sports to North Korea, so that’s the main thing," said Rodman, who was escorted through customs and immigration by two handlers. Rodman later arrived in North Korea for a five-day visit, received by officials at Pyongyang’s airport, China’s Xinhua news agency reported from the North Korean capital. Hours after Rodman arrived in the capital, North Korea relea...
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