Yukiya Amano, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said on Wednesday that the agency stands ready to send its inspectors back to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to monitor the country's moratorium on uranium enrichment.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testifies during a hearing before the House Appropriations Subcommittee of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs, on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., Feb. 29, 2012. Clinton said that the agreement of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to suspend its nuclear activities was a "modest first step". [Xinhua]

"As I have said before, the agency has an essential role to play in verifying the DPRK's nuclear program," Amano said in a statement.

"Pending further details, we stand ready to return to Yongbyon to undertake monitoring activities upon request and with the agreement of the agency's Board of Governors," Amano added.

He also noted that "the announcement by the United States about its recent talks with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is an important step forward."

The DPRK said Wednesday it would suspend nuclear tests, long-range missile launches, and uranium enrichment activities, and allow the IAEA to monitor the moratorium on uranium enrichment, according to the official KCNA news agency.

The IAEA has not been able to implement safeguards measures in the DPRK since April 2009.

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