Recommended

Franklin Graham Sees 'Golden Opportunity' in Kim Jong-Un Phone Call

Evangelist and noted humanitarian the Rev. Franklin Graham has recently stated that President Barack Obama should consider the apparent offer of a phone conversation with North Korean dictator Kim Jung-Un.

Graham, who has visited North Korea five times and has a charity organization operating in the Communist nation, said in an interview with U.S. News and World Report that it was a "golden opportunity."

Graham was commenting specifically on the recent visit by NBA star Dennis Rodman to North Korea wherein the former Chicago Bull met with Kim Jung-Un.

Get Our Latest News for FREE

Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know.

"I'm surprised, I'm shocked … I'm thrilled that the North Koreans accepted him so warmly," said Graham to U.S. News.

"If he doesn't do it, I believe it would be a mistake … I think it would be very wise to pick up the phone and call him and to begin a dialogue."

Graham also explained in his over-the-phone interview with U.S. News that the subject of basketball could be a good icebreaker.

"Here is the grandson [of North Korea's first post-independence leader Kim Il-Sung], who loves American basketball, who's asking for the president to give him a call," said Graham.

"It's a golden opportunity. What could go wrong with a phone call?"

On Sunday, Rodman was interviewed by ABC's George Stephanopoulos regarding his recent trip to North Korea and visit with its dictator, Kim Jung-Un.

Rodman told Stephanopoulos that Kim simply wanted a phone call from Obama as a way of smoothing over increasingly tense relations between the two nuclear weapons holding nations.

"He's proud, his country likes him – not like him, love him, love him," said Rodman regarding Kim. "Guess what, I love him. The guy's really awesome."

According to the online celebrity news site TMZ.com, a publicist for Rodman later stated that the NBA star, who was criticized for his remarks, regretted complimenting the regime without fully being aware of its extensive human rights violations.

In a statement by Amnesty International published Wednesday, the major human rights organization called for a United Nations inquiry to investigate the increased curb on human rights in North Korea. The United Nations is presently considering a resolution that would put sanctions on North Korea, a measure that has prompted Pyongyang to threaten to launch pre-emptive strikes against South Korean and United States targets.

Kim Jung-Un took power in North Korea in 2011 after the death of his father, Kim Jong-Il.

Was this article helpful?

Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone.

By making a recurring donation or a one-time donation of any amount, you're helping to keep CP's articles free and accessible for everyone.

We’re sorry to hear that.

Hope you’ll give us another try and check out some other articles. Return to homepage.