SINGAPORE - Retired basketball star Dennis Rodman said US President Donald Trump did a great job in holding the summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and said he wants to be there when Mr Trump opens the doors from America to North Korea.
Rodman, 57, who is known for his friendship with Mr Kim and had flown to Singapore in a show of support, was speaking to reporters on Tuesday (June 12) at the lobby of Regent Hotel where he was staying.
"I'm just so happy that it actually happened today," he said, referring to the historic summit between the two leaders.
He said: "I think Donald Trump did a great job, a great job of keeping his composure and understanding the fact that Kim Jong Un wants to have trust in America. If Donald Trump can stick to his guns and say, 'We'll have a great relationship with North Korea', it's going to work out for everyone in the world."
Asked if he planned to meet Mr Kim now that the summit was over, Rodman said he hoped to meet the North Korean leader when doors are opened between the US and the Asian country.
"I'm pretty sure I'll be there, and North Korea has shown us so much love over the years, even though (it was) somewhat touch and go for a while," said the former National Basketball Association star.
Pressed on whether he believes that the North will stick to its commitment to denuclearise the Korean Peninsula, Rodman said: "Doors are going to open, and it's going to take time."
Rodman was asked too about the death threats he had received, which he had tearfully revealed in an earlier interview on Tuesday with CNN.
He stressed that he is not a politician, but a middle man, and that "saying something that's for peace" has backfired on him.
"People looked like I didn't know what I was talking about when I told people that (Mr Kim is) a good guy," said Rodman, adding that Mr Kim is "very young but he's not stupid".
He told reporters: "As long as I've known Kim Jong Un and the country of North Korea, they've never shown any type of animosity or hatred towards the world."
On how long he will be staying in Singapore, Rodman, who arrived in Singapore on Monday, said: "I guess we'll have to see."
