방한 중인 '김정은의 절친' 데니스 로드맨 아리랑 TV와의 국내 단독 인터뷰, '김정은 위원장은 변화에 마음이 열려있다'

NBA champ, hall of famer and arguably the greatest rebounder in the game's history.
There are many ways to describe basketball legend Dennis Rodman.
After retirement, he grabbed the attention of the world by daring to visit North Korea and befriending it's leader.
With the latest charm offensive and historic summits, the global perception of Kim Jong-un has changed considerably, but back then he was considered by many, a dangerous dictator.
The enigmatic but frank superstar sat down with our Oh Soo-young for an exclusive interview, revealing his faith in Kim as well as his support for peace on the peninsula.
You've been to North Korea five times. You've spent considerable time with Kim Jong-un, going to games, drinking with him and getting to know his family. What did you learn about his character -- is he someone who's willing to change?

"I don't know. I don't know him as a dictator. I don't know him like that. I've never seen that part but I've seen the part that cares. He's not a bad a guy. I was just trying to say he's not the one to say if you guys don't do what I say, I'm going to bomb you guys. I try to tell the world, there's no way in hell he's going to bomb anyone on this planet. He loves his people so much he will not risk anything to do that. War doesn't go anywhere.

As you said, he has a lot on his plate. He's 34 years old, in charge of 25 million people. Did he ever seem pressured or stressed about the way North Korea is?

"I don't think he really wants to go by some of the things in past history with the old generation and leadership of his family. He's trying to slowly bring the free world into his country. Like, I say, he wants to be part of the 21, he wants his people to have opportunities and understand how the world works. So I've said since Day 1, I believe in him. It's like we trust each other."

So trust is an important issue.

"I think that's the biggest thing. He was a new generation. I think people have to realize that. He's actually trying to show people he is friendly, he is approachable and he is what he says he's going to be. But it's up to that trust factor. that's what he's so worried about. Trust."

Did you ever sense he wants to change the relationship between N. Korea and the U.S.?

"You know what? Just hearing him having a conversation with us, we just laugh and joke, talking about music and sports and things like that. Just hearing him say things like that tells me he wants to go to America. He wants to learn everything about America. He wants to be a rock star. It's about time, he's 34 years old right. He wants to get out in the world."

He and Pres. Trump seemed to hit it off quite well. Do you see a budding relationship there?

"It's going to take time. It's not going to happen overnight. That was a really big step. Them coming out laughing. It's President Trump actually saying some profound, really good things abou