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Google exec criticized for planned trip to North Korea

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    State Department says timing is not right

  • Duration 3:41
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-- top Google executive reportedly planning a trip to North Korea that's a move the US officials were quick to criticize according to.

Reporting of the Associated Press Google's executive chairman Eric Schmidt.

We'll go on a humanitarian.

Mission to the Communist nation he'll be going with former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson.

Who knows a thing or two about dealing with North Korea forced.

Most of that country lives in miserable poverty under the iron fisted rule of its latest leader Kim Jong-un.

It has some of the most restrictive Internet rules in the world but the new leader says his country is ready to embark -- a new.

Industrial.

Like revolution.

That comes as North -- -- up the ending with the -- -- -- the United Nations with its latest rocket launch an official's report.

It's holding an American citizen behind ball.

Now State Department officials are calling Google's planned trip on the helpful that's their war.

As the US tries to deal with an increasingly tricky situation so far no comment from the folks at Google.

Joining me -- talk about a Mike -- former intelligence officer for the defense secretary's office he's currently CEO of diligent innovations consulting firm Mike good to see you.

Kim Jong-un wants science and technology.

To drive new economic growth for North Korea but given as I mentioned -- -- -- near ban.

On Internet technology and access what can they really offer.

Yeah I I actually think that the trip has almost nothing to do with Google itself I mean from all the press reporting all the statements that have been released it sounds like you know in addition to being.

A senior executive at -- Google you know mr.

Schmitz also very wealthy man.

Who has a humanitarian interest in North Korea I think any kind of a notion that there's going to be -- -- revolution nor real opening up.

Of you know it what is called hermit kingdom just seems you know quite fanciful so -- does this all about.

Well I mean I think -- actually much more important part of it is is governor Richardson going over there because it's important that we keep non official.

Diplomatic ties so we don't want to have official ties -- given North Korea's track record of nuclear weapons and missile proliferation.

And you know and as you mentioned -- out the the satellite launch which improves their ability to deliver potentially nuclear warheads yet we don't want official connections.

But but I think you know make sense to go there as as a private citizen which this is trying to figure out if there's anyway they can just help the humanitarian crisis right millions of people over -- start.

But look I mean the people who live there as we mention.

You know the human rights violations -- epidemic everybody.

-- in abysmal conditions and poverty and there you know they're out how -- times I mean your program by dear leader.

To hate to think can talk in behave in a certain way they're not allowed to really be educated and think for themselves.

So if you energy use any thing of technological.

Advancement.

Like Google products I mean.

-- you could have a huge upheaval in an overthrow of the nation.

Yeah I.

With that in mind and that's why I say it's not likely to happen one of the important things -- people to remember is you know that just because the new leader is there doesn't mean that he's actually holding the reins of power.

The military North -- still very powerful -- a lot of and that you know entrenched interest there.

That are gonna maintain power and so over time there may be some loosening but it's certainly not gonna get a sprout into a democracy you know any time soon.

We saw similar things with Syria for example when you know the father passed the way the -- took over everyone thought -- he's been western educated it's going to be very modern you know ruling.

But -- has turned out to be -- you know every bit as bad as the father was and I I think people should should be cautious -- to not over think that's.

You know maybe North Korea's gonna moderate a little bit but not significantly and Mike -- good to see you thanks so much thank you.

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