NY Times praises Kim Jong Un's sister, bashes Pence in new story — the backlash is swift and brutal

Add the New York Times to the growing list of mainstream media outlets fawning over Kim Yo Jung, sister of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.

The younger Kim has been the talk of the town at the Winter Olympics after she attended the games' opening ceremonies in the same VIP box as Vice President Mike Pence, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minster Shinzo Abe.

But the Times took their praise of Yo Jong a step further on Sunday.

What did the Times say?

In a story published Sunday afternoon, the Times claimed that Yo Jong — whom the U.S. government has officially sanctioned for being an integral part of North Korea's human rights abuses — "outflanked" Pence at the opening ceremonies.

"Flashing a sphinx-like smile and without ever speaking in public, Ms. Kim managed to outflank Mr. Trump’s envoy to the Olympics, Vice President Mike Pence, in the game of diplomatic image-making," the Times wrote.

The Times furthered its praise by claiming Yo Jong "delivered messages of reconciliation as well as an unexpected invitation from her brother to the South Korean president, Moon Jae-in, to visit Pyongyang, the North Korean capital" while Pence merely "came with an old message."

The story then went on to criticize Pence for not meeting with the North Korean delegation. The outlet quoted a former State Department official who claimed Pence is "playing right into North Korea's hands" and a professor who said Pence's actions are "a new low in a bullying type of American diplomacy."

The article, though probably liked by the North Korean regime, didn't go over well with Americans.

What was the reaction?

The backlash was brutal and swift.

Conservative commentator Dana Loesch:

Ben Shapiro:

Pence's communication's director, Jarrod Agen:

Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer:

Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.):

Radio host Buck Sexton:

Michelle Malkin:

Joe Concha, media reporter at The Hill:

National Review writer David French: