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Rodman claims credit for DPRK prisoner release

AAP

AAP

Former NBA player Dennis Rodman says he played a crucial role in the recent release of two American prisoners from North Korea.

Reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has found an unlikely friend in Rodman, who frequently attends basketball matches in capital Pyongyang and has hailed Jong-un an “awesome guy”.

• Rodman loves Kim
• Rodman’s Korean tour

Dennis Rodman and Korean Leader Kim Jong-un

Rodman and Kim Jong-un in North Korea. Photo: AAP

Americans Matthew Miller and Kenneth Bae were freed on the weekend after being imprisoned in North Korea, with Rodman saying a letter he sent to Jong-un earlier this year secured their release.

According to TMZ, Rodman wrote to the North Korean leader in January asking for the two men to be released from their sentences of hard labour.

“I ask for your mercy to prisoner Kenneth Bae and would be eternally grateful for his safe return and make a big step towards bridging the gap between our two nations,” Rodman wrote.

“I understand the crimes [Bae] committed, and ask you my dear friend, the highly respected Marshall Kim Jong Un for his release to show my country how loving and compassionate you and the DPRK can be.”

Mr Miller, a 24 year-old tourist, was held on espionage charges since April, while Mr Bae, a 46-year-old missionary, was imprisoned for two years.

Rodman said he had “no doubt” his visits to Pyongyang helped secure the prisoners’ release.

US President Barack Obama said the outcome was “wonderful” after the government sent a US intelligence chief to North Korea on a secret mission to secure the men’s release.

Topics: North Korea
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