Richardson dismisses U.S. gov't worries over his N. Korea trip plan

Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said Friday that he and Google Chairman Eric Schmidt plan to make a "private humanitarian visit" to North Korea.

The diplomat-turned-politician was countering the U.S. government's explicit concerns about their planned trip, which comes as the U.S. is pushing for a strong United Nations-led measure against the communist nation for its long-range rocket launch in December.

"The objective of the trip is a private humanitarian visit. We're not representing the U.S. government," Richardson told CBS "This Morning."

He stopped short of disclosing the precise purpose.

Richardson, formerly U.S. ambassador to the U.N., has close personal ties with North Korea and has made a number of trips there.

His plan to travel there this time, however, has drawn keen attention as he will be accompanied by the Google chairman.

Their move has spawned media speculation over the possibility that the world's most secretive nation may seek to reach out to the Internet world.

"This is not a Google trip. He's interested in foreign policy, he's a friend of mine, and I felt it was important that there be a broader perspective of our visit, with Eric going and some other members of our staff," Richardson said.

He added he would discuss various topics, including the nuclear issue and the detention of a Korean-American man, Kenneth Bae.

Richardson said the U.S. government officials "shouldn't be that nervous," adding he and Schmidt already postponed a trip to Pyongyang in December at the request of the State Department, which cited South Korea's presidential elections at that time.

On Thursday, Victoria Nuland, the department's spokeswoman, said the timing of their visit is not "helpful."