Kim Jong-un is about to receive a 'VIP guest' from the US.

Legendary American basketball star Dennis Rodman is on his way to North Korea, a fact confirmed by a spokesperson for leader Kim Jong-un.

CNN reported that Dennis Rodman appeared at Beijing International Airport but declined to answer questions about his plans.

A meeting between Kim Jong Un and Dennis Rodman in 2014. (Photo: Reuters)

This comes at a time when tensions between Pyongyang and Washington are escalating, and North Korea is currently holding four Americans captive.

Dennis Rodman's previous encounter with the North Korean leader was while watching a friendly match between American and North Korean players at the Indoor Stadium in Pyongyang in January 2014. The match was held to celebrate the birthday of Kim Jong Un, whom Rodman called a friend.

Dennis Rodman (Photo: Reuters)

The former NBA basketball player has visited North Korea at least four times and is one of the few Americans to have met Kim Jong-un.

A senior expert believes that the North Korean military is just one step away from achieving the capability to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile carrying a nuclear warhead with a range capable of reaching the United States.

Previously, Rodman described Kim Jong-un as a "very good person".

The US State Department confirmed they knew Rodman had flown to North Korea but asserted that he was not there in an official capacity.

Here are some more photos of Kim Jong-un and Dennis Rodman:

Photo: Reuters

Photo: Reuters

Photo: Reuters

According to Vietnamnet