WASHINGTON (Yonhap) -- The U.N. nuclear watchdog agency said Monday it would consider North Korea's invitation to nuclear inspectors in a "constructive spirit," suggesting the possibility of some progress in implementing a recent Pyongyang-Washington deal despite the communist regime's declared space launch.

The North has invited the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect its main nuclear complex in Yongbyon under an agreement with the U.S., which pledged the shipment of massive food aid in return.

"The IAEA sent a response to the DPRK on 30 March. The Secretariat has circulated the DPRK's invitation dated 16 March as well as DG's response to members of the Board of Governors," IAEA press officer Greg Webb told Yonhap News Agency in an email. DPRK is the acronym for North Korea's formal name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and DG refers to Yukiya Amano, director-general of the IAEA.

"Basically we replied that the Agency would follow up on the invitation in a constructive spirit," he added.

He avoided a direct answer when asked if the IAEA plans to send a delegation to the North in the near future.