Former basketball star Dennis Rodman leaves Beijing for his second trip this year to North Korea.
There was speculation he'd try to win the release of American missionary Kenneth Bae, accused of trying to overthrow the government and jailed for 15 years.
Rodman says his trip is more about basketball diplomacy.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER BASKETBALL STAR DENNIS RODMAN SAYING:
"I want to try to keep the communication gap going, as far as like, I just want to go over there to meet my friend Kim, the Marshall, and try to, you know, start a new basketball league, stuff like that."
Rodman was criticized for his last visit at a time when the North was threatening missile strikes against South Korea, Japan and the U.S.
