球星羅德曼抵朝鮮說不會討論政治問題
Retired U.S. basketball star Dennis Rodman is in North Korea for his third visit in recent months, but says he will not raise political issues with the country's leader, Kim Jong Un.
Rodman's visit comes at another tense moment in Pyongyang, just days after the shocking execution of Kim's uncle, mentor and second in command, who was accused of trying to overthrow the state.
Speaking to Reuters at a Beijing hotel before departing for the North, Rodman said the execution of Jang Song Thaek had nothing to do with his visit, which he said was purely for "fun."
The five-time National Basketball Association champion is expected to help train North Korea's national basketball team during his trip, which is sponsored by the Irish bookmaker Paddy Power.
During past visits, the eccentric Rodman has held extended personal meetings with Mr. Kim, who he has called a "friend for life" and a "good guy." He is thought to be the highest-profile American to have met the North Korean leader.已退役的美國籃球明星羅德曼抵達朝鮮，這是他幾個月來第三次訪問朝鮮。羅德曼表示他不會跟朝鮮領導人金正恩提出政治問題。
羅德曼是在平壤又一次局勢緊張之際抵達的。幾天前，平壤令人驚訝地處決了金正恩的姑父和導師，朝鮮第二號領導人張成澤。張成澤被指控企圖推翻現政權。
羅德曼星期四在離開北京的旅館前對路透社記者說，張成澤被處決跟他的訪問沒有關係。他說，他的訪問完全是爲了好玩。
羅德曼是五次獲得美國職業籃球總冠軍球隊的成員。預計他此行將幫助訓練朝鮮國家籃球隊。他的訪問得到愛爾蘭博彩公司帕迪鮑爾的贊助。
羅德曼上次訪問朝鮮時跟金正恩進行了多次個人接觸。羅德曼稱金正恩是他的“終生朋友”和“好人”。據信羅德曼是會見過金正恩的美國人中知名度最高的。
