After the two men sat next to each other watching a basketball exhibition in North Korea 's capital , Rodman told Kim that `` you have a friend for life . '' asked Rodman to help prepare North Korean basketball players for an upcoming exhibition . Basketball is important to North Korea 's attempts to achieve unity , columnist David Chang says . Family of Kenneth Bae calls on Rodman to work for detainee 's release .
asked Rodman to help prepare North Korean basketball players for an upcoming exhibition . Basketball is important to North Korea 's attempts to achieve unity , columnist David Chang says . Family of Kenneth Bae calls on Rodman to work for detainee 's release .