Google’s Schmidt to Visit North Korea

Google’s Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt announced Thursday he may travel to North Korea for a “private” visit—despite State Department opposition to the trip. Schmidt plans to accompany former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, though it is not clear when the trip is supposed to take place. The nature of the trip is also unclear, but it is suspected that the delegation intends to help secure the release of a detained U.S. citizen. But the U.S. State Department is against the trip because of North Korea’s recent launch of a long-range rocket. “Frankly, we don’t think the timing of this is particularly helpful, but they are private citizens and they are making their own decisions,” a State Department spokeswoman said, adding that Schmidt and Richardson “are well aware of our views.”