The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Monday that it has received an invitation from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) for a visit.The UN nuclear watchdog received the invitation on Friday, IAEA spokeswoman Gill Tudor said in statement, declining to elaborate.“We will discuss with the DPRK and other parties concerned for the details of the visit,” she said. “Details will be discussed. Nothing has been decided yet.” If made, the visit would be the first of its kind since the DPRK suspended its cooperation with the IAEA and withdrew from the six-party talks on nuclear disarmament in 2009.Late last month, the DPRK said it would suspend nuclear tests, long-range missile launches and uranium enrichment activities as part of an agreement reached with the United States.In addition, Pyongyang agreed to allow UN inspectors to return to the country and “verify and monitor the moratorium on uranium enrichment activities at Nyongbyon and confirm the disablement of the 5-MW reactor and associated facilities.”In return, the United States agreed to provide the DPRK with 240,000 tonnes of nutritional assistance.However, Pyongyang’s announcement, also made on Friday, of a plan to launch an “earth observation” satellite in April to mark the 100th birthday of its late leader Kim Il Sung has triggered wide international concerns. The United States warned that the bilateral deal has been put at risk.
