Former NBA star Dennis Rodman told North Korean leader Kim Jong Un he had a friend for life. Now he's calling on that friend to do him a favour and free Kenneth Bae, the American tour operator who has been sentenced to 15 years hard labour.
Bae, 44, from Lynnwood, Washington state, is said to be a "devout Christian".
He was handed the harsh sentence after being found guilty of "hostile acts" against North Korea.
Rodman made the appeal for Bae's release via Twitter.
"I'm calling on the Supreme Leader of North Korea or as I call him 'Kim', to do me a solid and cut Kenneth Bae loose," he said.
His call was in response to an editorial in the Seattle Times titled "Dennis Rodman should ask pal Kim Jong Un to release Kenneth Bae".
Rodman tweeted this after seeing the editorial: "In direct response to your article headline, 'Ok.' Read your story @uscthanhtan, and I decided to help."
