Australia's government says North Korea is seeking to reopen its embassy in the nation's capital.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr said Wednesday that he has welcomed the request by Pyongyang. Carr told Australian Broadcasting Corp. it would give Australia the opportunity to express its concerns about what it views as North Korea's "catastrophic position on human rights."

North Korea closed its embassy in Canberra in 2008, citing financial reasons.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says a timeframe for the reopening of the embassy has not been set.

Australia has diplomatic ties with North Korea, though they are strained. Australia imposed targeted sanctions on North Korea in 2006 in response to Pyongyang's steps to develop atomic weapons.