Former NBA star Dennis Rodman said he thinks President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are "pretty much the same people."

"They love control," Rodman told AFP Tuesday in Beijing.

He also said the talk of nuclear war is harmless "entertainment."

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"Ain't nobody got no finger on the button," he said.

Rodman said during the interview he thinks he can "alleviate some pressures as far as communication" between the U.S. and North Korea.

Rodman has visited Kim on several occasions and has in the past called him a "friend for life." He also appeared multiple times on "Celebrity Apprentice" when Trump hosted the show and endorsed Trump in his presidential bid.

During Rodman's June visit to North Korea, he brought a copy of the president's book "The Art of the Deal" with him as a gift for the North Korean leader.

In September, he said if Trump tries to reach out to Kim, "it would be a great possibility things could happen."

"If they could just sit down and have some kind of mutual conversation ... and just start a dialogue, I think that'll open a door just a little bit," he said during the interview on "Good Morning Britain."

Tensions have increased in recent months between the U.S. and North Korea.

Pyongyang launched a new intercontinental ballistic missile late last month, ending a two-month hiatus for missile launches from the country. The missile landed in the Sea of Japan.

Trump expressed confidence shortly after the launch, saying "it's a situation we will handle."

The Washington Post reported earlier this month that North Korea is moving to acquire machinery that could be used for a biological weapons program.

Earlier this month, North Korea also reportedly said that a nuclear conflict in the region is unavoidable and accused CIA Director Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoOvernight Defense: Pentagon redirects pandemic funding to defense contractors | US planning for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May | Anti-Trump GOP group puts ads in military papers Overnight Defense: House Democrats unveil stopgap spending measure to GOP opposition | Bill includes .6B for new subs | Trump issues Iran sanctions after world shrugs at US action at UN Navalny calls on Russia to return clothes he was wearing when he fell ill MORE of provocation.