Clinton SENT Carter to North Korea. Clinton could not have cared less what the result was as long as it was something that didn't require a decision or any action.
Clinton sent Carter to North Korea because Carter had already been interfering in negotiations. Basically, he was going to go whether or not Clinton approved, so Clinton eventually made it a formal mission. Carter has done this sort of thing both openly and behind the backs of every president since he left office. I can't produce online sources for my assertion, because the information comes from TV documentaries I've watched. But, assuming the documentaries are factual, then what I'm telling you is accurate.