(NewsNation) — Vice President Kamala Harris received criticism online this week after mistakenly touting the United States’ alliance with “the Republic of North Korea” during a trip to the Demilitarized Zone, which separates the two Koreas.
In a video that has since gone viral, Harris emphasized the “very important relationship” between the U.S. and “the republic of North Korea.”
Conservative critics were quick to draw attention to the mistake.
“@KamalaHarris — I know these things can be difficult, but our alliance is with South Korea, not North Korea,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) tweeted.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) sarcastically called the gaffe “confidence inspiring” and said it was part of a “banner week” of mistakes from President Joe Biden and Harris.
WHO’S TALKING ABOUT THIS?
The right. Of the news outlets who covered this story, about 81% lean right, according to Ground News, a NewsNation partner that measures news media bias.
- The Daily Wire: “Harris Touts ‘Strong And Enduring’ Ties With ‘Republic Of North Korea’ In Latest Gaffe”
- The New York Post: “Harris hails US ‘alliance with North Korea’ in latest Biden admin botch”
Just 14% of the outlets that reported the news lean left, according to Ground News.
IS THIS REALLY WHAT HAPPENED?
In a video clip online, Harris can be heard praising the strong alliance between the United States and “the Republic of North Korea.”
The United States shares a very important relationship — which is an alliance with the Republic of North Korea — and it is an alliance that is strong and enduring.
Vice President Kamala Harris
WHAT’S ANOTHER SIDE OF THE STORY?
It’s clear the vice president misspoke when calling North Korea an ally of the United States. Later in her remarks, she criticized the regime and underscored the United States’ support for the Republic of Korea, also known as South Korea.
“I cannot state enough that the commitment of the United States to the defense of the Republic of Korea is ironclad,” she said.
Harris went on to say:
“In the South, we see a thriving democracy. In the North, we see a brutal dictatorship, rampant human rights violations and an unlawful weapons program that threatens peace and stability.”
THE BOTTOM LINE
The United States and North Korea, also known as the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea, do not have diplomatic relations.