North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly ended his friendship with NBA legend Dennis Rodman over an alleged drunken behaviour incident. The claim dates back to reports published in 2014, when Rodman made a controversial trip to Pyongyang.
Alleged incident at Koryo Hotel
According to the Washington Post, Kim was said to have broken off his friendship with Rodman after the 65-year-old allegedly got incredibly intoxicated and pooed on the hotel room floor. The Korea Times published an article involving a source linked to Free North Korea Radio, which claimed Rodman's drunk behaviour disgraced himself at the Koryo Hotel, vomiting, peeing and pooing in the hallway.
Those allegations were based on an unnamed source and were not verified. There was also no public statement from Kim confirming the incident.
Friendship through basketball
Rodman first met Kim in February 2013, when he went to Pyongyang with members of the Harlem Globetrotters for a basketball exhibition. Kim, who is believed to be a huge basketball fan and followed the Bulls during Rodman's playing career, sat alongside the five-time NBA champion during the game. The two got on well, with Rodman allegedly telling Kim: "You have a friend for life."
Rodman returned to the country several times and excused his travel to the isolated and totalitarian country as "basketball diplomacy" despite holding no position within the US government. When Rodman returned to the United States, he went into rehab over alcohol, and his agent admitted the former Chicago Bulls star had been under pressure surrounding his trip to hang out with the Supreme Leader.
Potential role in Trump-Kim meeting
The claims have resurfaced after President Donald Trump suggested he might explore the possibility of meeting with Kim again, having met three times during his first term as President. It is reported that Rodman could be involved in the meeting given his history with Kim.
Rodman previously stated that his relationship with Kim could help improve communication between Washington and Pyongyang after a comprehensive agreement failed to be reached regarding North Korea's nuclear programme. But it remains to be seen whether Kim is even interested in reconnecting with Rodman, if the alleged hotel incident remains a stain on relations.
