Google's Schmidt was a 'rock star' in North Korea, Richardson says

Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt was like a “rock star” in North Korea, according to former U.N. Ambassador Bill Richardson.

Richardson and Schmidt recently returned from a controversial trip to North Korea that was criticized by the State Department. One of the goals of their visit was to encourage the spread of Internet access in the insular country. 

"Eric Schmidt was like a rock star there — talking to people, to students, to scientists, to software engineers about the importance of the Internet," Richardson told CNN.

Pressed as to whether the four-day private trip was at cross-purposes with U.S. diplomacy, Richardson said he believes effective foreign policy requires a mix of government, private citizens, philanthropic groups and non-governmental organizations. 

"My point here is that right now our relationship with North Korea is frozen and if some individuals, private citizens, especially someone like Eric Schmidt, who can bring a message of openness and hope and the Internet and cellphones and more communications, and be treated as someone they're intensely interested in. Remember, we met with students, with average people — it wasn't just the government," Richardson said. 

Richardson, a Democrat and former New Mexico governor, denied charges that the visit could provide propaganda for the North Korean government. 

"I mean, these people in North Korea are thirsty for openness and when we deliver a message that the Internet and access to the Internet and exchange of information and openness is good, I don't see how this can be harmful," he said.

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