CEO Eric Schmidt: Is Google’s Schmidt Heading to North Korea?

CEO Eric Schmidt: With so much political unrest, it is uncommon for outsiders to travel to North Korea. However, this is exactly what Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) executive chairman Eric Schmidt plans on doing.

ABC News broke this news story moments ago by saying:

Eric Schmidt will be traveling to North Korea on a private, humanitarian mission led by former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson that could take place as early as this month, sources told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The sources, two people familiar with the group’s plans, asked not to be named because the visit had not been made public.

Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is “as big as they come” in the world of the internet. On the opposite side of the spectrum is North Korea, a country that is notorious for its strict internet policies.

Despite the fact that leader Kim Jong Un is calling for a “modern day industrial revolution” with hopes of pushing the country’s technology landscape to new heights, there are not many within the country who are able to freely access the internet.

The report explains this in greater depth:

Giving citizens open access to the Internet has not been part of the regime’s strategy. While some North Koreans can access a domestic Intranet service, very few have clearance to freely surf the World Wide Web.

Over the years, Schmidt has been quite vocal about the importance of everybody in the world having access to the internet. That being said, North Korea’s leadership does not take direction well.

If this trip does end up taking place, it will be interesting to see who Schmidt meets with upon touching down. Here is why:

It was not immediately clear who Schmidt and Richardson expect to meet in North Korea, a country that does not have diplomatic relations with the United States. North Korea has almost no business with companies in the U.S., which has banned the import of North Korean-made goods.

Do you think Schmidt’s trip into the unknown will yield any serious progress? We will be sure to update you with the latest news on this breaking story, as it becomes available.

Check back here for more updates on CEO Eric Schmidt.

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