Ahead of the launch of South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem's book "No Going Back," the book has already stirred controversy. The Republican governor's frank memoir, which once seemed a vehicle for fueling her political career, turned out to be a subject of bipartisan criticism after some irrefutable facts and contentious anecdotes emerged.

One of the book's controversial topics was the claim that Noem had met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Nevertheless, her office later pointed out this mistake would be corrected in the upcoming editions. In addition to these concerns, her narrative of her shooting her hunting dog in 2023 led to a wave of criticism.

Refuted Claims on Meetings With Foreign Leaders

Descriptions of Noem's interactions with international leaders came under scrutiny. Assertions of standing up to figures like French President Emmanuel Macron were challenged, with Macron's office refuting claims of a planned meeting. Noem claimed she was scheduled to meet Macron in Paris but canceled due to his remarks. Macron's office stated there was no direct invitation, though she may have been invited to an event he attended. Noem's spokesperson cited her cancellation following Macron's comments on Israel.

Furthermore, experts discarded the claim that she met Kim Jong Un when she was a House Armed Services Committee member from 2013 to 2015, saying it was impossible. Syd Seiler, a former U.S. intelligence officer with extensive experience in North Korean relations, strongly opposed the possibility of such a meeting during that era of hostile relations between the two countries.

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Seiler, who worked in the White House and the State Department at the time, emphasized that he did not know about any congressional delegation meeting with Kim. Instead, Noem participated in an international congressional trip to Japan, South Korea, and China in 2014.

North Korea experts George Lopez from Notre Dame University and Benjamin Young from Virginia Commonwealth University expressed skepticism regarding Noem's claim of meeting Kim Jong Un. Lopez questioned the feasibility of a junior member of Congress meeting with the North Korean leader without explicit escort from the U.S. State Department and military. At the same time, Young labeled Noem's account as 'dubious.'

Criticism Escalates Beyond Political Arena

Amid mounting criticism, Noem's spokesperson, Ian Fury, downplayed the errors as minor and dismissed media scrutiny as biased. However, the controversy has extended beyond political circles, with members of Congress, including Representatives Jared Moskowitz and Nancy Mace, forming a Congressional Dog Lovers Caucus, implicitly referencing Noem's controversial narrative about shooting her dog.

Joan Payton from the German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America criticized Noem's actions regarding her dog, stating uncertainty about which was more foolish: the dog's killing or the decision to publish it in a book. The club described the breed as 'high-energy' and criticized Noem for impatience and mishandling the use of a shock collar for training.

Payton characterized the situation involving Noem's dog as chaotic. Payton emphasized that the dog was inexperienced and lacked training, highlighting the imprudence of expecting a 14-month-old bird dog to perform alongside trained adult dogs.

The National German Wirehaired Pointer Rescue urged Noem to acknowledge her 'horrific decision' regarding her dog and to educate the public about more humane alternatives. The group emphasized the need for training and effort to develop a working field dog, highlighting the importance of responsible ownership.

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