Dennis Rodman is back in North Korea
Pyongyang
Former NBA basketball star Dennis Rodman takes part in a practice session with North Korean basketball players and other former NBA stars in Pyongyang, in this photo taken Jan. 7, 2014 and released by Kyodo on Jan. 9, 2014.
Rodman headed for a North Korean ski resort on Thursday after staging a match in Pyongyang for dictator Kim Jong Un's birthday that has drawn the ire of human rights activists and some of his fellow professionals.
Pyongyang
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un poses for a souvenir photo with Dennis Rodman and former U.S. NBA basketball colleagues after a basketball game against North Korean players of the Hwaebul team of the DPRK at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang, Jan. 9, 2014.Pyongyang
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un talks with Dennis Rodman after they watched a basketball game between former U.S. NBA basketball players and North Korean players of the Hwaebul team of the DPRK at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang, Jan. 9, 2014.Pyongyang, North Korea
North Koreans look down from a balcony as former NBA basketball star Dennis Rodman enters the Koryo Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 19, 2013.
Rodman arrived to the North Korean capital to help train the national team and renew his friendship with the North's young leader, Kim Jong Un.
Read more: Dennis Rodman back in North Korea to visit buddy Kim Jong Un, try to "help the world"Pyongyang, North Korea
Former NBA basketball star Dennis Rodman speaks to North Korean basketball players during a practice session in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 20, 2013.
Rodman selected the members of the North Korean team who will play in Pyongyang against visiting NBA stars on Jan. 8, 2014, the birthday of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Beijing
Dennis Rodman is surrounded by the media at Beijing International Airport, before he leaves for Pyongyang, Dec. 19, 2013.
Rodman said on Thursday he was not going to North Korea to talk about politics or human rights, despite political tension surrounding the execution of leader Kim Jong Un's uncle.
Beijing
Dennis Rodman is surrounded by the media at Beijing International Airport, before he leaves for Pyongyang, Dec. 19, 2013.Beijing
Dennis Rodman gestures as he leaves for Pyongyang from Beijing International Airport, Dec. 19, 2013.Beijing
Dennis Rodman shows pictures he took with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to the media, upon arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport, in this combination picture of frames, Sept. 7, 2013.
Rodman returned from his second visit to North Korea this year where he again met the reclusive country's leader Kim Jong-un, but did not come back with jailed American missionary Kenneth Bae.
Beijing
Dennis Rodman shows pictures he took with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to the media, upon arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport, in this combination picture of frames, Sept. 7, 2013.Pyongyang, North Korea
Dennis Rodman shakes hands with officials upon arrival at Pyongyang airport, Dec. 19, 2013.Beijing
Dennis Rodman shows pictures he took with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to the media, upon arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport, in this combination picture of frames, Sept. 7, 2013.Pyongyang, North Korea
Dennis Rodman and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hug in Pyongyang in this undated picture released by North Korea's KCNA news agency on March 1, 2013.
KCNA reported that a mixed basketball game of visiting U.S. basketball players and North Korean players was held at Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Gymnasium on Feb. 28, 2013.