I admire Rick Warren, but I think this is a real mistake. The fact is that Rick Warren will not be allowed to say what must be said, and that is to challenge the view of the state as god in North Korea. In the minds of millions of North Koreans, the state is the final ethical arbiter. To truly preach Christ, you must knock down this worldview that sets itself up against a knowledge of God (2 Cor. 10:5.) WIll North Korea allow this? I doubt it.
Will Rick be allowed to meet with real North Korean Christians, Christians that are not "licensed" by the state? Since it's illegal there, I seriously doubt it.
Billy Graham got in some trouble about 25 years ago after he preached in the Soviet Union. What these great men of God should do is explain to the host country what they will say if invited, get the invitation refused, and trust that the word of Christ will be spread in North Korea regardless. (In this case, probably from China.)
And it's perfectly okay for you to think that. A friend told me what Rick Warren wants on his tombstone, and while I don't know anything about the author of this article (who seems to agree with you about North Korea), he states the following, which is exactly what my friend said:
At the end of the television special Warren said there were four words he wanted on his tombstone when he died: “At Least He Tried.” I give him full credit, he is trying to make a real difference in this world and people who love Christ ought to love and support him in every way possible. We have far too few mega-church pastors with either the vision or integrity of Rick Warren.It really grieves my spirit to read what some say about Rick Warren. He's trying, and if some people don't agree with what he's trying to do then perhaps the best thing to do is remain silent or pray for his ministry.