It was the oddest of couples embarking on the most excellent of adventures: Google executive chairman and geek-in-chief Eric Schmidt joined politician Bill Richardson, the former New Mexico governor and one-time U.N. ambassador, in a three-day tour of North Korea. The two headed to the Hermit Kingdom on a diplomatic mission to call for greater Internet freedom and technological knowledge for the country’s 24 million people. Media access in North Korea is tightly controlled, but cameras did follow the duo around as they looked at things — as seems to be quite common in North Korea.
Eric Schmidt Looks at 3-D Glasses
Schmidt tries on a pair of 3-D glasses during a tour of the Korean Computer Center on Jan. 9, 2013.
Eric Schmidt Looks at North Korean Tablets
KCNA / Reuters
Richardson and Schmidt check out North Korean software running on tablet computers during a visit the Korean Computer Center in Pyongyang, January 9, 2013.
Eric Schmidt Looks at Computers
David Guttenfelder / AP
Schmidt takes a picture during a tour of a computer lab at Kim Il Sung University in Pyongyang, on Jan. 8, 2013. That’s a keeper.
Eric Schmidt Looks at an IT Textbook
David Guttenfelder / AP
Schmidt pages through a textbook titled “Aries Net+ Certified Technician First Edition Version 3.0” at the Grand People’s Study House in Pyongyang on Jan. 9, 2013.
Eric Schmidt Looks at a Pyongyang Scenic Overlook
David Guttenfelder / AP
Schmidt stands on a balcony at the Grand Peoples Study House near Juche Tower in Pyongyang, on Jan. 9, 2013.
Eric Schmidt Looks at TV Reporters
Kim Kwang Hyon / AP
Schmidt is surrounded by journalists after arriving at Pyongyang International Airport in Pyongyang on Jan. 7, 2013.