South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s upcoming memoir, “No Going Back,” is causing a stir with its controversial claims, including an assertion that she met with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. In a recent interview on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Noem dodged questions about the alleged meeting, stating that the anecdote should not have been included in the book.
Experts on North Korea have cast doubt on the validity of Noem’s claim, pointing out that Kim Jong Un did not leave North Korea from 2011 to 2018. Benjamin Young, a North Korea expert, called the account “dubious,” while Ian Fury, Noem’s communications chief, acknowledged that the inclusion of Kim Jong Un in the book was a mistake.
In addition to the controversy surrounding her alleged meeting with Kim Jong Un, Noem’s memoir also includes claims that she turned down a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, which Macron’s office has denied. The book has also drawn attention for a story in which Noem admits to killing a dog on her farm after it attacked a neighbor’s chickens.
Despite facing criticism and mockery, Governor Noem defended her actions, citing state law that allows for the euthanization of dogs that attack livestock. The unfolding drama surrounding Noem’s memoir has captured the attention of the public and media alike, with pundits weighing in on the authenticity of her claims.