Dennis Rodman attempts to explain his friendship with Kim Jong Un. And what the hell he’s doing playing B ball in North Korea.

Even though he’s not been to see Rodman once during his latest visit to North Korea, where he’s been given the dubious task of running the national basketball team.

Even though he’s not been to see Rodman once during his latest visit to North Korea, where he’s been given the dubious task of running the national basketball team. (Getty Images)

The world is still talking about Dennis Rodman and his “friend” Kim Jong Un, who despite being a ruthless, power-hungry dictator, accused of bumping off his own uncle Jan Song Thaek a week ago in a political purge, is still the former NBA star’s bosom buddy

Even though he’s not been to see Rodman once during his latest visit to North Korea, where he’s been given the dubious task of running the national basketball team.

So. Allow him to explain.

"I came over here to meet the basketball team, to prepare a great game for the Leader for his birthday," Rodman told the Press Association.

"And people need to understand that it's not important for me to meet him every time I come over because he has another, greater job to do for his country. And I respect that.

“But this trip was basically to come over to train the team, so we can have a great, great, game."

Of course, their unlikely camaraderie was originally stoked up when Rodman travelled to Pyongyang earlier this year with the Harlem Globetrotters to take part in an HBO TV special made in conjunction with VICE magazine. As one so often does.

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He is expected to name a further 12 US players hot-footing it over to Pyongyang from the States in time for the exhibition. However, he has acknowledged that some of his top choices might not want to join him. The US roster should be announced soon, and word on the street is that there will be another game in the country in June 2014. Meanwhile, try-outs for the North Korean team, which started last Thursday, are on-going.

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Rodman did, however, reveal himself to be achingly aware of the criticism currently spanking him in the face every nanosecond over his decision to take on the task of coaching the North Korean basketball team. But does he care about the appalling human rights abuses, sketchy nuclear weapons programme and random disappearances of many who oppose government power? In a word: no.

“A lot of people in America don't approve of what I've been doing,” he said. “But that's not my problem.”

So, there you are. It’s not his problem. He doesn’t care. Rodman is (allegedly) a human being. But he doesn’t give a flying one.

And that’s all we need to hear from the star. Ever again.

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Video: Dennis Rodman returns from third trip to North Korea