US officials have wished him "well" in a trip that aims to "accomplish something we both need." On the heels of his announcement, Pyongyang released a US student who had been sentenced to hard labor.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/M. Schiefelbein
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Former US National Basketball Association (NBA) player Dennis Rodman announced on Tuesday that he would be traveling to North Korea.
Rodman, who has visited the communist nation several times before, said US President Donald Trump is happy with his visit, adding that it aims "to accomplish something we both need."
"I'm just trying to open the door," the flamboyant ex-basketball told reporters at Beijing's international airport.
"If it would be appropriate to me to meet with him, I would absolutely, I would be honored to do it," Trump told the New York-based Bloomberg News Agency in May.
US Undersecretary of State Thomas Shannon told reporters in Tokyo that Rodman was visiting North Korea as a private citizen, and reiterated Washington's travel warnings to US nationals.
"We are aware of his visit. We wish him well. But we have issued travel warnings to Americans and suggested they not travel to North Korea for their own safety," Shannon said.
Mere hours later, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson announced that 22-year-old student Otto Warmbier had been released by Pyongyang in spite of being sentenced to 15 years hard labor after he tried to steal a propanganda poster while visiting the isolated nation. Tillerson did not comment on whether Rodman's announcement had anything to do with Warmbier's release.
According to Warmbier's parents, their son had to leave North Korea on a medical airplane, as he has been in a coma since shortly after his trial.
Dennis Rodman (right) has described the North Korean leader as "an awesome kid"Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/KCNA
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula
The US and its regional allies have voiced concerns over North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missiles programs, with Trump warning that open conflict may emerge if Pyongyang continues to act aggressively.
Washington has increasingly called on Beijing to do more to curb North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missiles programs.
"We desire productive relations," Secretary Tillerson said last week during a visit to Australia. "But we cannot allow China to use its economic power to buy its way out of other problems, whether it's militarizing islands in the South China Sea or failing to put appropriate pressure on North Korea."
Guns, gold and gas: What UN sanctions target North Korea?
International observers say North Korea continues to flout bans on its pursuit of a nuclear weapons program. The UN Security Council has increased sanctions on the country.
Image: Reuters/S. Sagolj
Coal and iron
In August 2017, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution banning all coal, iron, iron ore and lead imports from North Korea. Pictured here is China's Liaoning Greenland Energy Coal Co. in Dandong, on the border with North Korea.
Image: Reuters/B. Goh
Currency
North Korea is prohibited from opening banks abroad, and UN member states are prohibited from operating financial institutions on Pyongyang's behalf. Any dealings that might help North Korea skirt the sanctions are banned, and UN member states must expel and repatriate anyone working on the regime's financial behalf.
Image: Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images
Shipping
This North Korean cargo ship found itself boarded for inspection in the Philippines in March 2016 after the United Nations ordered member nations to de-register any vessel owned, operated or crewed on orders from Pyongyang. North Korean ships also cannot fly the flags of other nations to evade sanctions.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/J. Dumaguing
Air travel
Air Koryo, North Korea's national carrier, remains exempt from aviation sanctions and still has scheduled flights to China and Russia, as well as several domestic routes. However, the airline cannot fly to the European Union, which has banned it on safety grounds, and the United States prevents citizens from legally conducting business with the carrier.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Yonhap
Fuel
In December 2017, a new raft of UN sanctions targeted fuel imports in North Korea, meaning its residents could have difficulties driving the country in Pyeonghwa sedans (pictured above). The sale and transfer of diesel and kerosene are limited while the import of crude oil is capped at 4 million barrels a year.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/M. Ralston
Bank accounts, real estate
UN sanctions limit North Korea's diplomats abroad — at the country's Berlin embassy, for example — to only one bank account each. North Korea is also not permitted to own real estate abroad for any purposes other than consular.
Image: picture alliance/dpa/S.Schaubitzer
Military training
It's a safe bet that North Korea's marching military did not learn its moves abroad: UN sanctions ban foreign security forces from training the country's army, police or paramilitary units. The United Nations does permit medical exchanges, but otherwise allow very little assistance of scientific or technical value.
Image: Reuters/S. Sagolj
Statues
Anyone wanting to own a larger-than-life Kim will have to await the end of North Korea's nuclear program. The UN sanctions currently ban the sale of statues by the nation.