Korea

Google's Schmidt presses North Korean officials for open Web

Eric Schmidt wrapped up a controversial visit to North Korea today, saying that his private delegation warned officials that global Internet access was key to developing its economy.

"As the world becomes increasingly connected, their decision to be virtually isolated is very much going to affect their view of the world," he told reporters upon his return to Beijing, according to a Wall Street Journal account. Lack of such access would "make it harder for them to catch up economically. We made that alternative very, very clear," he added.

Despite official U.S. opposition to the … Read more

In N. Korea, Google's Schmidt gets glimpse of Net

Not many people in North Korea get to take a peek at the Internet, but visitor Eric Schmidt did.

Google's executive chairman is on a controversial four-day junket to North Korea at the invitation of former U.N. ambassador Bill Richardson, who has described the trip as a private, humanitarian undertaking that seeks in part to get access to a detained American citizen. The U.S State Department would have preferred that the group skip the visit, or at least not go so soon after the reclusive country's recent missile test.

Today the group from the U.S., … Read more

Google on Schmidt's N. Korea trip: This is Eric's private excursion

North Korea's Central News Agency said earlier today that Eric Schmidt is traveling to the country as part of a "Google delegation." That's news to Google.

"This is a personal trip," said a company spokeswoman, making it clear that Google is as much a spectator as the rest of us.

Schmidt, who is Google's executive chairman, arrived in Pyongyang today with fellow Googler Jared Cohen, and former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. The U.S. State Department had previously expressed disapproval of the trip. Google did not have much to share about Schmidt'… Read more

Google's Schmidt arrives in North Korea

Google's Eric Schmidt is now in North Korea on a junket that the State Department has frowned upon.

Schmidt is accompanying Bill Richardson, former N.M. governor and former ambassador to the U.N., on what the latter has described as a "private humanitarian mission." Among other things, Richardson plans to make inquiries about Korean-American Kenneth Bae, who has been detained by North Korean authorities.

The U.S. State Department last week expressed dismay at the prospect of the trip, with a spokesperson saying: "We don't think the timing of this is particularly helpful" … Read more

Google's Eric Schmidt to fly to North Korea tomorrow

Update Jan. 7 at 7:44 a.m. PT: Schmidt and Richardson have arrived in North Korea, according to the AP.

Despite the objections of the U.S. State Department, Eric Schmidt plans to leave for North Korea tomorrow.

Google's executive chairman is in Beijing and scheduled to depart on a commercial flight for a four-day humanitarian mission to the reclusive country, according to an Associated Press report. Schmidt is part of a delegation led by former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

CNET has contacted Google for comment and will update this report when we learn more.

The U.… Read more

Schmidt's N. Korea junket 'not a Google trip,' Richardson says

Former Gov. Bill Richardson, D-N.M -- who has announced that he will travel to North Korea with Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt as early as this month -- brushed aside the State Department's expressed disapproval of the trip Friday on "CBS This Morning," saying, "I don't work for the U.S. government; neither does Eric Schmidt."

"I know the State Department is a little nervous," Richardson said, "but we did postpone this trip already. Eric and I were going in December, and at the request of the State Department, we … Read more

State Dept. to Google's Schmidt: Bad timing for N. Korea junket

The U.S. government is opposing Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt's plans to travel to North Korea, Reuters reported today.

According to the report, the U.S. State Department said the timing is not right for Schmidt's humanitarian mission. The trip, first reported by the Associated Press, was planned as a private trip, led by former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. It was expected to take place as early as this month.

In a State Department briefing today, spokesperson Victoria Nuland said, "They are traveling in an unofficial capacity. They are not going to be accompanied by … Read more

Moebius House a super-sized strip of math wonder

The Moebius House doesn't look or sound real. It's designed to be built on a Korean island in a forest growing on volcanic rock. It's inspired by the unending brain teaser known as a Mobius strip.

Design firm Planning Korea has tackled some creative projects in the past, including designs for a mega-bridge over the Han River and a cocoon-shaped house that looks like it could hide a giant insect inside. It's no wonder those same architects saw a Mobius strip as a good basis for a house.… Read more

Google's Eric Schmidt to meet Kim Jong-Un?

Wouldn't you like to be a wall on the flight?

Can you imagine what Google's Eric Schmidt will be muttering to other members of a U.S. delegation that is reportedly going to Pyongyang, North Korea for a little diplomatic pying-pyong?

According to the Associated Press, this trip might even happen in the next few weeks, with former Governor of New Mexico Bill Richardson also in the party.

Naturally, details of this alleged trip are being kept very close to official chests. But one can surely hope for nothing more than a meeting between Schmidt and North Korean … Read more

Yahoo completes withdrawal from South Korean market

As it promised earlier this year, Yahoo has completed its exit from the South Korean market before the end of the year, according to a brief report by the Yonhap News Agency.

Yahoo announced its intention in October to withdraw from the country, saying that the move was a response to "efforts to streamline operations and focus our resources on building a stronger global business that's set up for long-term growth and success."

The South Korean unit, which had been in operation since 1997, consisted of about 200 employees, delivered editorial content and handled the company's … Read more