Dennis Rodman watched basketball, pet dolphins with NK dictator

The NBA star visited North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang last week, where they attended a basketball game, went ice skating and pet dolphins at an aquarium.

“It was supposed to be like that,” Rodman said on ‘This Week with George Stephanopoulos‘ on Sunday morning. “Just meet a guy and have a good time.”

This newfound friendship has sparked controversy due to the hostility between the United States and North Korea. Yet like all friends, Rodman stuck up for Jong-un when Stephanopoulos inquired about the 200,000 people in prison camps.

“I understand what he’s doing,” Rodman said. “I don’t condone that. I hate the fact that he’s doing that, but the fact is that he’s a human being.”

Rodman said the mysterious leader, whom he refers to as “very humble” and “just a kid” at 28 years old, wants President Obama to “call him.” The call between the two men would presumably focus on introducing peace talks. Rodman reiterated several times that Jong-un is not his father, Kim Jong-il, or his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, and he is not interested in war, even though North Korea has threatened the U.S. since Jong-un took office in 2011.

“He loves power,” Rodman said. “He loves control. But guess what? He doesn’t want war. That’s one thing he doesn’t want.”

Despite Rodman’s friendly relationship with Jong-un, the former basketball player doesn’t want President Obama to ask him to be the U.S. Ambassador to North Korea.

“I’m not a diplomat,” Rodman said. “I don’t wanna do that.”

Rodman later tweeted:

Although he didn’t give a specific time frame, Rodman said he has plans to return to North Korea and hang out with his new BFF some more.