Dennis Rodman lands in North Korea

Retired American basketball star Dennis Rodman arrives Pyongyang -- along with other basketball players to film a TV documentary.

The visit comes just after North Korea conducted a nuclear weapons test --but Rodman says there is no special timing to his visit.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) RETIRED UNITED STATES BASKETBALL PLAYER DENNIS RODMAN SAYING:

"There ain't no timing of it, just we got invited, and we're just going to come over and having some fun."

Rodman says he's never been to North Korea.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) RETIRED UNITED STATES BASKETBALL PLAYER DENNIS RODMAN SAYING:

"It's my first time, I think it's most of these guys' first time, so hopefully everything will be okay, hope the kids have a good time for the game."

Rodman is joined by members of the Harlem Globetrotters including Will Bullard.

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NBA HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS BASKETBALL PLAYER WILL BULLARD, SAYING:

"I've always loved Korea, no matter North, South, it doesn't matter, I've always loved Korea, we all do.."

State Department spokesperson Patrick Ventrell raised no objections to the visit.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON PATRICK VENTRELL SAYING:

"In terms of this private travel to do basketball with kids, we just don't take a position on this private travel."

There are no details about the documentary -- but it is expected to be distributed by HBO in April.

Korean leader Kim Jong-un is reported to be an avid basketball fan. During his school days in Switzerland he apparently behaved like any American fan -- having his pictures taken with players from the Chicago Bulls and LA Lakers.