Dennis Rodman takes credit for Otto Warmbier's release from North Korea
Former NBA star Dennis Rodman made an appearance on Friday's "Good Morning America" and essentially took credit for North Korea's release of Otto Warmbier, an American college student imprisoned in the country for 18 months.
Warmbier returned home to Ohio on June 13 with severe neurological injuries. He died Monday.
Chris Volo, Rodman's agent, sat alongside his client during the interview with Michael Strahan and detailed what he said was their involvement with Warmbier's release.
"I asked on behalf of Dennis for (Warmbier's) release three times," Volo said, referring to the release as a "type of good faith."
Last week, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert denied that Rodman had anything to do with Warmbier's release, and when asked about his visit said, "We strongly, strongly suggest Americans not travel to North Korea."
Warmbier's father echoed the sentiment regarding Rodman in a news conference on June 15.
"Dennis Rodman had nothing to do with Otto," he said. "It's a diversion. ... This is all planned."
When Strahan asked Rodman about his friendship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un _ whom Rodman has called "a friend for life" _ and how the basketball star could maintain that relationship in the face of Warmbier's treatment, Rodman was initially cagey.
"He's a friend of mine, OK, great. I don't look at the political side about him. I look at the friendship about him," Rodman said.
"It's the politics that's the bad thing," Rodman emphasized. "If we can try to figure something out, just open the door."
_Los Angeles Times
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