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Bill Richardson defends humanitarian mission to North Korea

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    Former ambassador dismisses State Department's disapproval

  • Duration 4:56
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-- Florida Phil thank you the former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson says the State Department quote.

Shouldn't be that nervous about his planned trip to North Korea -- they top Google executive.

We reported on this controversy yesterday and studio -- governor Richardson who's very knowledgeable on North Korea is planning to visit that Communist country with Google's executive chairman Eric Schmidt.

The governor describes it as a private humanitarian mission but US officials.

We're quick to criticize the trip saying it's -- helpful to the tense relations between North Korea.

And the west of course north Koreans have long lived under an iron fisted ruler many of them starving and living in horrifying poverty.

The Internet likely the least of their concerns but the nation's new leader Kim Jong -- has said he wants to embark on an industrial revolution of sorts.

That comes at the same time that he -- repeatedly -- -- the west recently launching a rocket despite US opposition.

Officials also say they have an American citizen behind bars.

So why the trip now and what do the governor and the Google executive hope to accomplish let's ask governor Richardson.

-- Richardson himself he joins us now.

Live from New Mexico governor it's great to see you sir I know you hate to go into great detail about these things but -- I have to ask give the State Department doesn't want you to go.

Why go now.

Well the State Department I've respected their wishes several times and postpone my trip.

But I still love the timing right now is is okay.

Here's why there's an American detained there.

Maybe we can help us condition.

This is Korean American his son has appealed to me.

I've negotiated in the past with the north Koreans successfully for American soldiers for an American citizen.

-- heard the remains of our soldiers from the Korean War.

Food aid I know how.

What makes them tick I know that they're very unpredictable.

I don't think it's harmful they have a dialogue but I'm not representing the US government is a private humanitarian mission.

Eric Schmidt is not representing -- either he's going as a private citizen -- only going to be there are few days we're not gonna conduct diplomacy.

And so I don't believe that this is going to be harmful at all I think it may be helpful especially -- we can make progress on this American -- me.

And I know so that you have a long history of North Korea -- -- this type of thing before for the edification of our audience that the detaining you're talking about as a man named Kenneth day who -- got to the travel.

-- travel network of sorts through a travel office and he would bring investors and potential.

You know.

Tourists to North Korea he's now being held.

As you know acts against the North Korean government.

Well he's 44 years old we know very little because.

The Swedish government represents us the North Korea we don't have representation.

I'm gonna try to find out how he's doing.

He was detained not for something he did but.

Apparently in the computer of one of those terrorists he was taking over.

There were some my negative.

Materials about the north Koreans so what I want to do is see how he's doing.

Report back to his son who.

Message me yesterday.

Asking me to bring back his dad I don't know -- can do that that judicial proceedings have not started.

On this man so.

I think just reporting on one human being helping one human being is worth the effort.

Governor will you confront that the North Korean leaders the government in any capacity about that the firing off of these rockets I mean clearly they say it's for peaceful purposes but.

But you know they -- white California the rest the United States off the map -- you confront them about these continued rocket -- Well I always do it Trace I do it publicly -- litter urgent.

To stop these rocket launchers to not proceed with a nuclear test.

To move into negotiations.

With South Korea -- may be rekindled the six party talks.

I was hopeful -- this new young leader.

-- when he came in he -- more outward more and communication with this people he had been educated in the west that maybe they -- gonna change.

He's been saying some positive things lately about.

Engaging with South Korea which I think could be the key here.

But then he does those rocket launchers and of course so we're gonna be very frank -- was -- with them.

-- out and that treatment of his people by all accounts is just that is abhorrent governor Richardson -- -- you join us sir thank you good luck in your trip.

Thank you trees.

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