Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper says North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has made clear that he would not accept international calls for Pyongyang to completely dismantle its nuclear weapons program.

The report said Monday that Kim made the remarks during his meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing last month.

The North Korean leader reportedly said he would go only so far as to "freeze" the nuclear development program if the North obtained compensation in the form of energy assistance from the other countries participating in the six-party talks.

The paper said the North is likely to make a similar assertion at the first six-party working-level group meeting slated to begin Wednesday in Beijing, inevitably bringing about difficulties in its talks with Japan, South Korea and the United States.

This is the first time Kim's specific remarks have been revealed concerning calls for Pyongyang to scrap its nuclear development program.