While tensions remain high between the United States and North Korea , the relationship is more cordial between their scientists . Scientists from both nations are collaborating via nongovernmental organizations and universities on projects ranging from tuberculosis research and deforestation issues to digital information technology . The idea behind science diplomacy is to build bridges and relationships through research and academics despite political tensions . This month , a delegation of North Korean economic experts visited Silicon Valley to see various American businesses and academic institutions such as Stanford University . It may seem like a bizarre concept that two countries , at odds with each other , would share scientific knowledge . But science diplomacy existed between the Soviet Union and the United States during the Cold War , as researchers cooperated on nuclear issues , space missions and technology . And this practice continues , with U.S. scientists working with academics and researchers from adversarial states like Iran , Cuba and North Korea . `` A group of us who believe in science diplomacy , believe that it is useful to find people in those countries with whom you can find something in common , with whom you can discuss and can perhaps cooperate in areas not strategic , military or defense-related , '' said Dr. Norman Neureiter , senior adviser to the Center for Science , Technology and Security Policy , which is part of the American Association for the Advancement of Science , an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science . U.S. scientists , backed by a scientific engagement consortium that includes AAAS , Korea Society , U.S . Civilian Research & Development Foundation , Syracuse University and the American Association for the Advancement of Science , have worked with North Korean scientists and technical universities since 2007 to deliver lectures and share resources and knowledge about subjects such as reforestation , river reclamation , soil quality and agriculture . The U.S. government does not sponsor these activities . The visits are heavily supervised by North Korean minders . Also , scientists can not collaborate in areas related to weapons or the military . After a failed rocket launch last week , attention shifted to North Korea 's scientific capabilities . The launch drew nearly universal criticism , with United Nations officials calling the country 's decision to launch `` deplorable . '' The failed launch also triggered concerns about a possible nuclear test . `` The foreign powers are not the only ones with monopoly on military supremacy , and the days of their threatening and lying to us with atomic weapons is forever gone , '' said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un , in the centennial celebration of his grandfather 's birth . Under these circumstances , sharing scientific and technological knowledge with North Korea may seem questionable . `` Given what has happened , those are legitimate concerns and questions , '' said Hyunjin Seo , assistant professor at the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Kansas , whose main area of focus is public diplomacy . `` The level of exchanges between the United States and North Korea is quite limited when it comes to science engagement , '' she added . `` Given what scientists can bring to North Korea , there are a lot of limitations . So I do n't think that those exchanges can really be blamed for helping North Korea . '' Despite the rocket controversy , Seo supports continued efforts in science diplomacy . She added that people should distinguish between North Koreans and its government . The intent behind scientific overtures is well-meaning , said Hank Song , a Washington-based human rights activist for North Koreans . `` Looking at it from bigger picture , one-on-one contact is good , because it exposes North Koreans to individuals and provides an opportunity to meet and talk with Americans , '' he said . `` But this is all done between the watchful eyes of the minders . When these meetings take place , the end result is , everything goes to help the regime . It does n't help the people that really need help . '' American and European scientists , including a Nobel laureate , an astronaut and other elite scientists , have visited North Korea in recent years and discussed ecology , biology , global weather systems and the Western scientific method , such as the peer review process . `` To simply oppose and coerce the North Koreans without trying to engage them is a prescription for failure , '' wrote David Hillmers , the only U.S. astronaut to visit North Korea , in an opinion piece for the Houston Chronicle after his visit . `` We can engage without appeasing . '' Hillmers visited the elite Pyongyang University of Science and Technology in the nation 's capital . The lessons are taught in English , and the school educates students in the modern sciences . Select groups of North Koreans have visited the United States . One group visited Google 's headquarters in April , according to the Korean media site Chosun Ilbo . Google did not respond to inquiries about the meeting . The same group of 12 North Korean officials also visited Stanford University on April 1 , where they learned about the history of Silicon Valley and discussed economic collaboration . Researchers from Stanford and North Korea 's Ministry of Public Health teamed up in 2008 to develop a way to detect drug-resistant tuberculosis . North Korea is believed to have one of the highest incidences of tuberculosis outside sub-Saharan Africa . This kind of project has mutual benefits . `` Re-emerging infectious diseases do n't respect boundaries , '' said Vaughan Turekian , the chief international officer and director of the Center for Science Diplomacy at AAAS . He referred to cooperation with Burmese and American scientists in 2010 . Before the political relationship between Myanmar ( also known as Burma ) and the United States began to thaw , scientists from both countries were addressing ways to tackle malaria and other infectious diseases . For 10 years , Syracuse University has worked with Kim Chaek University of Technology in North Korea to develop a digital information library so they would no longer have to rely on card catalogs . The data would be stored online . The program brings North Korean computer scientists to the New York campus , as the only academic exchange program between American and North Korean universities . `` During these difficult times , it 's more important to have channels of communication that are not necessarily hostile , '' said Stuart Thorson , who directs Syracuse 's integrated information technology research collaboration with Kim Chaek University . `` Countries are adversarial to the U.S. , but open to science , '' he said . `` They like our science , our technology . This opens doors to places where our elected officials are not welcome . '' Song , the human rights activist who works with North Korean defectors , remains doubtful that this has much impact on ordinary citizens . `` When I talk to defectors , they do n't believe that these scientific exchanges will help the people . This will only help the regime . '' In March , the American Association for the Advancement of Science launched a new quarterly journal called Science & Diplomacy , which examines the relationship between science and diplomacy . An editorial published in its first issue recalled instances when the U.S. collaborated with its historic rivals such as Japan , China and the Soviet Union . `` American scientists and Russian scientists who had built nuclear weapons , built enough to destroy civilization , '' Neureiter said . `` It would 've completely destroyed both countries . But they began talking with each other , and gradually , they built an atmosphere of trust that influenced government policies . It did n't suddenly topple the walls , but there was a basis of communication . ''
No diplomatic relationship exists between the U.S. and North Korea , but scientists interact . Science diplomacy aims to build bridges and relationships using research and academics . After rocket launch , sharing scientific information with North Korea may seem questionable .