(CNN) -- Dennis Rodman, the former NBA star and the first American known to have met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was in the secretive country again this past week, purportedly to meet his "friend Kim, the Marshal" and perhaps also, to negotiate for the release of Kenneth Bae, a U.S. citizen detained since November. 

Rodman's second trip to North Korea this year comes months after months of threats of nuclear annihilation from Pyongyang. His desire to help Bae is likely to be registered in the annals of diplomatic history as little more than a little diverting adventure. 

But one never knows. The "Marshal," who has actually never served in the military, might choose to act in a statesmanlike manner and release Bae after another high-spirited soiree with the basketball legend. That would be good news for Bae, who is reportedly in poor health. 

Other detained Americans 

Such a dramatic gesture of goodwill by the reclusive leader would achieve the effect of adding insult to the United States in light of North Korea's recent cancellation of an invitation to the U.S. special envoy on North Korean human rights issues. 

Rodman, of course, is not qualified to carry out negotiations with North Korea on sensitive political issues. Nor does the North Korean leadership see him as a credible conveyor of official message to Washington. 

Kim's unconventional courting of Rodman is about equivalent to his enjoyment of Disney characters and scantily clad women on stage. It's all jolly and trite pleasure. 

Kim's attraction to American icons such as the NBA or Hollywood does not signal a genuine overture to Washington. It does not indicate intentions of reform or opening up of the isolated totalitarian state that imprisons some 1% of its population in political concentration camps. 
Who visited Kim Jong Un?
Has he been to North Korea before?
What does he call Kim?
Did his trip have another purpose?
What was it?
Who is the citizen?
Why was he detained?
Is he healthy?
Why does Kim like Dennis Rodman?
Does it mean anything else?
Is Dennis Rodman a credible liaison?
How long has Bae been detained?
Is it likely that he will be released?
Would that be insulting to the United States?
Why?
Is Kim attracted to certain American figures?
Which professional sports league does he enjoy?
Are there any other American figures he likes?
How many people does North Korea imprison?
Are these in regular jails?
Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman
yes
Rodman's second trip to North Korea
friend Kim, the Marshal
friend Kim, the Marshal
yes
perhaps also, to negotiate for the release of Kenneth Bae, a U.S. citizen detained since November. 
to negotiate for the release of a U.S. citizen
to negotiate for the release of Kenneth Bae, a U.S. citizen detained since November
Kenneth Bae
Kenneth Bae
unknown
unknown
no
who is reportedly in poor health. 
jolly and trite pleasure
It's all jolly and trite pleasure
no
does not signal a genuine overture to Washington
no
Rodman, of course, is not qualified to carry out negotiations with North Korea on sensitive political issues. Nor does the North Korean leadership see him as a credible conveyor of official message to Washington. 
since November
since November
maybe
might choose to act in a statesmanlike manner and release Bae after another high-spirited soiree with the basketball legend
yes
Such a dramatic gesture of goodwill by the reclusive leader would achieve the effect of adding insult to the United States
North Korea's recently cancelled an invitation to the U.S. special envoy on North Korean human rights issues
North Korea's recent cancellation of an invitation to the U.S. special envoy on North Korean human rights issues
yes
Kim's attraction to American icons such as the NBA or Hollywood
NBA
NBA
Hollywood
Hollywood
some 1% of its population
some 1% of its population
no
political concentration camps.