Dennis Rodman, others say trip, game in N. Korea only about sports PYONGYANG, North Korea, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Former NBA basketball star Dennis Rodman said his trip to North Korea for an exhibition game will help the world get to know the reclusive country better. It's all about the game. People love to do one thing," Rodman said Tuesday on CNN's "New Day." This is what we are trying to do. Rodman traveled to Pyongyang with a team of former NBA players for an exhibition game with North Korean players Wednesday, the birthday of the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, who shocked the world several weeks ago by announcing the purge and execution of Kim's once-powerful uncle. Also of concern is the welfare of U.S. citizen Kenneth Bae, who's been detained there for more than a year. Rodman told CNN the trip will help "open the door a little bit" between North Korea and the rest of the world. Asked if he would discuss the Bae situation, Rodman hinted Bae did something wrong but did not say what. Bae, a Korean-American missionary, has been in North Korean custody for more than a year. He was sentenced in May to 15 years hard labor for "committing hostile acts" against the country. During the interview, Rodman, who calls Kim "my friend," became agitated, saying he didn't give a "rat's ass" what the interviewer thought about the trip or his motivation. "You are the guy behind the mic right now," Rodman said from Pyongyang. We are the guys who have to go back to America and take the abuse. Former NBA player Charles D. Smith defended Rodman, telling CNN the visit was about basketball, not politics. Smith is among the former NBA players who traveled to Pyongyang. The players were invited by North Korea as a kind of "cultural exchange," not to influence the country's leaders. "We've been doing these games for 3 1/2 years," Smith said. Outside of what people know of Dennis, you don't know Dennis. He's got a great heart, his passion is about children and families, that's why we are here. We are here because it's about doing great will around the world.