Dennis Rodman thinks Kim Jong-un is alive and watching ESPN’s Michael Jordan documentary ‘The Last Dance’
DENNIS Rodman believes his pal Kim Jong Un is alive — and probably spending his time watching the Michael Jordan documentary The Last Dance.
The oddball NBA legend has been close pals with tyrant Kim for years and has visited him several times in North Korea claiming he is trying to broker peace.
He gave his verdict after weeks of frenzied speculation on the dictator’s health after claims he was dead or gravely ill following heart surgery.
Last week North Korean state media released footage of Kim with a bizarre “needle mark” on his wrist, although the lack of anything to date it means the rumors have not been put to bed.
Ex Chicago Bulls player Rodman said he does not believe reports his friend was incapacitated.
He told the New York Post: “It probably wasn’t much.
“I’ve been to dinner with dignitaries there that were reported to be dead here.
“I don’t believe North Korean news until I hear it from their side.
“I think the fact that they keep to themselves, in many ways, gives the media the ability to run with rumors at times.”
Rodman said he imagines the reason Kim hadn’t been seen in public for weeks is that the massive hoops fan was glued to the box watching the ESPN Jordan doc.
“HUGE Bulls fan,” Rodman, 58, told The Post via email.
He admitted he hasn’t spoken to Kim recently, adding: “All I can say, is I hope Kim is safe and sound because there is a lot more work and peace to be done between both nations.”
The footage of Kim at a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week sparked claims it was a body double.
“Ha ha ha. That’s a stretch,” Rodman said of the switcheroo theory.
And he is full of praise for the despot’s sister Kim Yo Jong, who is said to have been lined up to replace him takes over as ruler.
“His sister was a sweetheart,” said Rodman. “She was very kind to me when [I was a] guest.”
Rodman befriended Kim during a 2013 trip to Pyongyang and has visited North Korea several times.
In 2019 he approached President Trump about letting him step in to strengthen diplomatic ties with the pariah state amid rising tensions over its nuclear ambitions.