FOLLOW US

CNN is no stranger to criticism from displeased Americans. However, the network's decision to laud Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean dictator, Kim Jong Un engendered the most recent condemnations. As documented by The Hill, critics felt as though CNN willfully turned a blind eye to the plethora of human rights violations committed by the Kim family.

CNN's Praise of Kim Yo Jong

On Saturday, CNN published a piece in which they opined that Kim Yo Jong "stole the show" at the Winter Olympics.

"If "diplomatic dance" were an event at the Winter Olympics, Kim Jong Un's younger sister would be favored to win gold," read the opening line of the network's article. They then proceeded to laud Kim Yo Jong's "smile," "handshake," and "warm message."

CNN even compared Kim Jong Un's sister to First Daughter Ivanka Trump.

The controversial article can be read in full by clicking here.

Backlash Regarding CNN's Praise of Kim Yo Jong

CNN's track record as staunch critics of the Trump administration greatly contributed to the many raised eyebrows which followed after the network's praise of Kim Yo Jong. As previously stated, many Americans took issue with the multiple human rights violations committed by the Kim family. For instance, North Korea imprisoned, tortured, and murdered U.S. college student Otto Warmbier following accusations that he purloined a poster.

Influential government and media figures pointed this out via Twitter:

https://twitter.com/VPPressSec/status/962432930776666112

https://twitter.com/EsotericCD/status/962414358520303616

Additional CNN critics furthermore affirmed that Kim Yo Jong's Winter Olympics attendance does not absolve or erase the tyrannical nature of the North Korean government:

https://twitter.com/yashar/status/962344039126392832

https://twitter.com/leebren9/status/962367662486704128

More on CNN's Praise of Kim Yo Jong

The aforesaid piece alarmed many Americans on both sides of the aisle. To some people, the glorification of North Korea has seemingly followed after President Trump's public conflicts with Kim Jong Un.

One Twitter user, Ian McKelvey, posted a series of tweets in which he highlighted the gruesome treatment of North Korean prisoners. McKelvey moreover notes that pregnant women and children are not at all given a reprieve from the government's abuse:

https://twitter.com/ian_mckelvey/status/962488109526142976

https://twitter.com/ian_mckelvey/status/962488662087884801

https://twitter.com/ian_mckelvey/status/962489006310248448

https://twitter.com/ian_mckelvey/status/962489382732288000

https://twitter.com/ian_mckelvey/status/962489685619761152

https://twitter.com/ian_mckelvey/status/962490032304123905

Finally, McKelvey blasted CNN's praise of the Kim family and North Korea has "completely inexcusable:"

https://twitter.com/ian_mckelvey/status/962491179945390080

Thus far, CNN has yet to issue a public apology. This is also not the network's first time facing widespread criticism. CNN has infamously found themselves in several feuds with President Trump. The network's praise of Kim Yo Jong has only furthermore served as fuel for the dubbed "Communist News Network" term used by many conservatives who dislike CNN.