Bae has told family he is 'hanging in' following a transfer to a hospital from a labor camp. Bae family 'outraged' over Rodman

The family of Kenneth Bae, the American currently jailed in North Korea, is speaking out against Dennis Rodman’s recent trip to the country, saying they are “appalled” by the former NBA player’s comments about Bae’s imprisonment.

“We were shocked and just outraged. We couldn’t believe our ears,” Bae’s sister, Terri Chung said Tuesday on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360.”


“He clearly doesn’t know anything about Kenneth, about his case — and so we were appalled by that.”

( PHOTOS: Inside North Korea)

Chung’s comments follow Rodman’s own appearance on CNN on Tuesday, in which he lashed out against CNN’s Chris Cuomo when he pressed Rodman about whether he will use his presence as an opportunity to speak about Bae’s situation.

“Do you understand what he did in this country?” an emotional Rodman asked before yelling. “You tell me! You tell me! Why is he held captive?”

Chung said Rodman, who is in North Korea this week with a group of former NBA players for an exhibition basketball game, “has chosen to hurl these outrageous accusations” instead of advocating for Bae.

( Also on POLITICO: McCain on Rodman: 'He's an idiot')

“This isn’t some game. This is about a person’s life,” Chung said.

Chung continued her criticism of Rodman on Wednesday during CNN’s “New Day.”

“I’m not sure where he’s getting his information and I’m not sure how much credence I would give to his outbursts,” Chung said.

She added that Rodman is not a diplomat and not an authority on Bae’s case.

( PHOTOS: Kenneth Bae's life and imprisonment)

Defending her brother’s innocence, Chung acknowledged that his release will only come with government intervention and called for more action.

“I do believe the U.S. government wants to see him home, but I implore with our leaders to take more urgent action, more proactive measures to secure [his] release,” Chung said.

Chung told Cooper that the family recently spoke to Bae on the phone and said he was “hanging in” following a transfer to a hospital in Pyongyang from a labor camp. She said Rodman’s actions have been “heartbreaking.”

( PHOTOS: Dennis Rodman, Kim Jong Un in North Korea)

“It’s really heartbreaking that somebody who was in a position to help a fellow American refused to do so and then continued to do some more harm than good,” Chung said.