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Former NBA star sings Happy Birthday to Kim Jong Un

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Former NBA star Dennis Rodman has sung Happy Birthday to DPRK leader Kim Jong Un in front of a crowd of thousands in the capital, Pyongyang. This is Rodman’s fourth trip to the DPRK. On this visit, he and his team of retired basketball players held an exhibition match against a team of DPRK players to mark Kim Jong Un’s birthday. Rodman has angrily defended his visit after criticism from rights groups. The US says he does not represent the country.

A crowd of about 14,000 at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium clapped and waved as Rodman sang Happy Birthday. The former NBA star said DPRK leader, Kim Jong Un, who was in the audience with his wife and other senior officials, was his "best friend".

Ex-NBA star Rodman marks Kim Jong Un's birthday with basketball match

This is Rodman’s fourth visit to the DPRK. He says he is on a basketball diplomacy mission and has defended his latest visit, saying it will help "open the door" to the reclusive state. He claims his trip is a "great idea for the world."

"It is a historical day. Everyone in this world can see that We can live together." said Dennis Rodman, Former NBA Basketball Player.

Rodman arrived in the DPRK on Monday along with a team of retired NBA players for an exhibition game to mark Kim Jong Un’s birthday. Rodman played in the first quarter of the friendship game before changing clothes and joining Kim Jong Un on the stadium platform. The second half was played between two mixed teams. It ended 63-54.

After the match, the DPRK’s sports minister and Rodman presented trophies and souvenir medals to the players. Pyongyang citizens and sportsmen, as well as foreign diplomats and representatives from international organizations, were invited to watch the game.

Rodman’s latest visit comes just weeks after Kim Jong Un’s powerful uncle was executed. It also comes as the United States government is trying to secure the release of Kenneth Bae.

Bae is a Korean-American who worked as a Christian missionary before his arrest and conviction by the DPRK in May on charges of crimes against the state. Earlier, a White House spokesman declined to comment on Rodman’s visit, but reiterated a call for the DPRK to release Bae on humanitarian grounds.