The Google Delegation

On Monday, a group of American citizens including former New Mexico Governor and Ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson and Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt. At first glance, Schmidt seemed like an unusual candidate to make such a trip; North Korea is one of the most isolated countries in the world and limits internet usage to only a small portion of the country's elites. However, Richardson stated in advance of the trip that Schmidt was “Interested in some of the economic issues there, the social media aspect.”

Richardson labeled the trip as a humanitarian mission, citing several goals for the delegation:

(1) Attempt to meet with Kenneth Bae, a South Korean-born American citizen who was arrested in November for "hostile acts" against North Korea while he was in the country as a tourist. Just yesterday, Richardson stated that he had been unable to meet with Bae.

(2) Speak to North Korean officials about internet connectivity. Schmidt was quoted as saying, "As the world becomes increasingly connected, their decision to be virtually isolated is very much going to affect their physical world, their economic growth and so forth, and it will make it harder for them to catch up economically."

(3) Urge North Korean officials to end nuclear and missile tests.
The U.S. State Department has repeatedly referred to the trip as "ill-advised" and "not particularly helpful." Since North Korea launched a long-range rocket last month, the U.S. government has been especially critical, believing it to represent a violation of several United Nations Security Council resolutions. The U.S. has been attempting to drum up international support for additional sanctions against North Korea for its actions.