Jason Lee/Reuters
Former NBA star Dennis Rodman arrived in North Korea on Tuesday, after telling reporters in Beijing that he is “just trying to open a door” to the Pyongyang regime. The visit by Rodman, who has been close to President Donald Trump since his time on NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice, comes amid rising tensions between the U.S. and North Korea, the latter of which has dramatically escalated its nuclear efforts over the past year. Asked if he had spoken to the White House, Rodman said, “Well, I’m pretty sure he’s pretty much happy with the fact that I’m over here trying to accomplish something that we both need.” Rodman visited Pyongyang and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in January 2014, when he celebrated Kim’s birthday. He has since called the dictator a “very good guy.” The Hermit Kingdom has been condemned for its human-rights abuses and has four Americans in detention.