NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman, who traveled to North Korea early this year, may return to the communist country to push for the release of Kenneth Bae.

In an interview with the Huffington Post’s Marc Lamont Hill on Aug. 30, the flamboyant former NBA star hinted that he may go back to North Korea soon to bring the American missionary home.

Bae has been detained in North Korea for nine months for allegedly plotting a coup against the communist regime.

“I gave (Kim Jong-un) a great indication of when I’m going to Beijing soon ― that’s just a hop, skip and a jump from North Korea. So basically, you know, I’m pretty sure I’ll be talking to him soon,” Rodman told Marc.

“I will definitely ask for Kenneth Bae’s release. I will say, ‘Marshal, why is this guy held hostage?’ I could try and soften it up in that way.”

“If the Marshal says, ‘Dennis, you know, do you want me to let him loose?’ and then if I actually got him loose ― and I’m just saying this out the blue ― I’d be the most powerful guy in the world.”

Rodman visited North Korea in late February. He and the authoritarian North Korean leader watched an exhibition basketball game, then later drank and dined in Pyongyang.

North Korea recently revoked its invitation of Robert King, special U.S. envoy for North Korean human rights issues, who was to fly into Pyongyang last Friday on a mission to negotiate the release of the 45-year-old U.S. citizen.

By Chun Sung-woo (swchun@heraldcorp.com)