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Gov. Kristi Noem Requests Removal of Dubious Kim Jong Un Anecdote from Her Book
In an interesting turn of events, Gov. Kristi Noem has requested the removal of a contentious passage about North Korean leader Kim Jong Un from reprints of her upcoming book, “No Going Back.”
The decision came after the anecdote, which detailed an alleged encounter with Kim, came under intense scrutiny for its accuracy. Center Street, the publisher of Noem’s memoir, has agreed to eliminate the controversial segment from future e-book and audiobook editions.
The issue gained national attention during Noem’s interview with CBS, where she was pressed on the validity of her claim but stopped short of confirming the supposed meeting with the North Korean dictator. Noem, who traveled to China, Japan, and South Korea in 2014 as part of a congressional delegation, insisted during the interview that she had visited North Korea. This claim was met with skepticism from the interviewer, reflecting the widespread doubts about the feasibility of such a meeting given the tight restrictions on travel to North Korea and the rarity of meetings between its leader and U.S. officials.
Adding another layer to the controversy surrounding her book, Noem also defended a particularly harrowing story in which she recounts shooting and killing her 14-month-old dog, Cricket. This tale has sparked further debate and outcry among readers and critics alike.
The removal of the Kim Jong Un anecdote marks a significant retreat for Noem, who is seen as a rising star in the Republican Party. As the publisher works to adjust the content of “No Going Back,” attention remains on Noem’s handling of the controversy and the accuracy of other anecdotes within her memoir.