op Google executive Eric Schmidt went to Pyongyang, North Korea, in order to convince the local government that its only hope for progress is freedom of the Internet. However, the real matter is a bit more complicated in the isolationist state than simply going on the Internet. The country – currently the isolated military-cult nation – only operates a private Ethernet. Moreover, due to the limited amount of first-hand accounts, it is only available to the privileged sections of society.

Google’s CEO told the government of North Korea that without opening the country to the Internet, it will remain behind. Schmidt pointed out that, with the world becoming increasingly connected, the country’s decision to remain virtually isolated would affect its physical world as well, let alone its economic growth.

Bringing the worldwide web to the country would dramatically and promptly open its borders. However, the Party’s rule relies on its isolationist position. For instance, smuggled South Korean soap opera tapes are influencing opinions about the outside world in the North Korea. Indeed, even with heavy censorship, the open nature of the web would smash cultural misconceptions which have been drilled into the public and could come as a shock. Everyone would agree that the Internet un-censors itself, even in the considerably censored parts of the globe.

For Google, North Korea opening up to money from outside its borders would actually be an investment opportunity.

Like with the increased pressure on Cuba to allow for outside investment after the collapse of the USSR, North Korea also remains sensitive to being open for new markets and is still stubborn to give up its self determination. Actually, its semi-feudal state is notoriously harsh on its own nation: there are reports that dissidents can even be sent to brutal concentration and so-called “re-education” camps. Many experts admit that with heavy sanctions and without aid from the former USSR its people became victim to the vicious famines.

Anyway, the final outcome depends on the Kim family and senior party officials. In any case, the country’s head seems keen to paint himself as a different kind of leader. In addition, the geopolitical implications in the area and all over the globe will be far reaching in case the dictatorship’s control is relinquished at all.