LONDON – Kim Jong Un should release American prisoner Dennis Bae from a North Korean prison, Dennis Rodman said on his popular Twitter account.
Rodman made the plea on social media following the publication of a Seattle Times editorial calling on him to use his friendship with Kim Jong Un to the prisoner’s advantage.
Writing Friday in the Washington state based paper, Thahnh Tan said, “Bringing up Rodman in this context might be a stretch, but who else is friendly with King Jong Un these days?”
Tan’s editorial seemed to work, with Rodman today replying:
Rodman’s Tweet adds to calls made by the State Department last week that North Korea should release Bae from prison immediately. However, it is unclear if Rodman’s message will have much effect as North Korea said Sunday that Bae had not been arrested to be used as a “bargaining chip” for negotiations with the U.S.
Prior to Rodman’s message, Barack Obama today said at a meeting with South Korean President Park Geun-hye, “The days when North Korea could create a crisis and elicit concessions, those days are over.” It was unclear if he was refering to the arrest of U.S. national Kenneth Bae or recent tensions on the Korean peninsula.
Bae was arrested in November 2012 while leading a tour to the north east of the DPRK for committing “crimes against the state” that included an attempted “overthrow” of the Pyongyang government.
An NK News investigation today revealed that Kenneth Bae was originally a missionary dispatched to China. North Korea is known for having a harsh attitude towards religious activity.
LONDON - Kim Jong Un should release American prisoner Dennis Bae from a North Korean prison, Dennis Rodman said on his popular Twitter account.
