Why We Shouldn't Write Off Eric Schmidt's Visit To North Korea

Google Chairman Eric Schmidt's trip to North Korea came as a surprise to many yesterday. It seems likely that the news would have remained secret without the AP's North Korea correspondent Jean H. Lee's scoop. Surprise isn't the only reaction we're seeing though. According to the BBC, U.S. State department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland has commented negatively on the trip: "We don't think the timing of this is particularly helpful." The State Department's attitude is understandable, given North Ko...