Google chairman to North Korea: Tear down this firewall

Google (GOOG) chairman Eric Schmidt isn’t just going to North Korea to play its hot new Crazy Taxi-like video game — he’s also apparently there to promote Internet freedom. The Associated Press, via CBS News, reports that Schmidt was part of “a private delegation” that is “urging North Korea to allow more open Internet access and cellphones to benefit its citizens.” Former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, who accompanied Schmidt on his trip to North Korea this week, told the AP that he has told “a variety of foreign policy officials” in the country that “the citizens of the DPRK (North Korea) will be better off with more cellphones and an active Internet.” While a more open web in North Korea would certainly be welcome, we wouldn’t hold our breath for it to happen since North Korea has a well-earned reputation as one of the most restrictive and reclusive countries in the world.

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This article was originally published on BGR.com