Google’s Eric Schmidt plans visit to North Korea

The reason for the trip has not yet been revealed, but agencies say it is part of a humanitarian mission led by US politician Bill Richardson. The former New Mexico governor has been involved in negotiations with the North Koreans in the last 20 years. Internet use is highly restricted there although leader Kim Jong-un has called for a push in technology and science.
 
The South Korean government told news agency AFP that it is aware of the planned visit, adding that the trip is personal. Google has refused to comment so far.
 
Former governor Richardson has spoken for the release of US nationals detained in North Korea on various occasions. Last month, North Korea arrested a US citizen of Korean origin, Pae Jun Ho, for unspecified alleged crimes.
 
Mr Richardson has also held talks with North Korea over its military activities. In December 2010, he met North Korea’s chief nuclear negotiator in Pyongyang, in an attempt to ease tensions between the two Koreas.
 
But some analysts speculated that for Google’s Eric Schmidt the trip could have more strategic reasons.
 
"I think this is part of Google’s broader vision to bring the Internet to the world, and North Korea is the last frontier," said Peter Beck, of South Korean’s non-profit Asia Foundation, to Reuters.