Former US basketball star once sang karaoke with Kim Jong-un

Dennis Rodman went skiing and sang karaoke with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Former US basketball star Dennis Rodman. Photo: Reuters

"When I go to North Korea, I hang out with him all day. We laugh, sing karaoke, do a lot of fun things together. We go horse-drawn carriages, skiing. We hardly talk about politics and that's a good thing," former US basketball star Dennis Rodman said today on the Good Morning Britain program, according to Reuters.

Rodman, 56, won five championships with the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls in the National Basketball Association (NBA), a league that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is a big fan of. In addition to his talent on the court, Rodman has also attracted attention for his eccentric actions, such as wearing a dress to hold a wedding with himself.

On February 26, 2013, Rodman made his first visit to North Korea to host a friendly basketball match. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended the event in person. Rodman and Kim later became friends. Rodman last met Kim Jong-un in June.

North Korea has long ignored warnings from the West, continuing its nuclear and missile testing program despite violating UN Security Council resolutions.

Rodman said he was not trying to defend Mr Kim's actions and called himself a "sports ambassador". "I don't love Mr Kim. I just want to try to work things out so everyone can get along," Rodman said.

According to VNE