The International Atomic Energy Agency said it has received an invitation to send inspectors to North Korea.
The invitation comes some three years after IAEA monitors were expelled from the country.
An IAEA spokesman said the invitation was received on March 16 and no decision has been made regarding it.
North Korea and the United States in February reached an agreement under which Washington agreed to send food aid to the country and Pyongyang agreed to suspend nuclear tests, missile tests, and uranium enrichment and to allow international inspectors into the country.
However, on the same day the IAEA received Pyongyang's invitation, North Korea tested a long-range missile.
South Korea denounced that test as a "grave provocation."
The invitation comes some three years after IAEA monitors were expelled from the country.
An IAEA spokesman said the invitation was received on March 16 and no decision has been made regarding it.
North Korea and the United States in February reached an agreement under which Washington agreed to send food aid to the country and Pyongyang agreed to suspend nuclear tests, missile tests, and uranium enrichment and to allow international inspectors into the country.
However, on the same day the IAEA received Pyongyang's invitation, North Korea tested a long-range missile.
South Korea denounced that test as a "grave provocation."