A leading Japanese daily says preparations to open a fresh round of working-level nuclear talks ahead of higher-level discussions are facing various difficulties.

The Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper cited Sunday that Pyongyang is stressing that it will take part in the working-level discussions if the United States is willing to provide compromises in the North?s 22-month nuclear standoff.

The paper said China?s proposal to hold the talks on August 18th in Beijing had been turned down by the North which said preparation for the talks have yet to be sufficiently made.

The reports also noted that the North rejected a proposal by the United States to hold the discussions in New York from this Saturday, citing that Washington must first withdraw its hostile policy toward the North.

The daily said the participants of the six-way nuclear talks are currently coordinating views to convene the working-level group some time around early next month.

However, the paper quickly raised concerns over a possible stalemate in efforts to hold the working-level talks as the participating countries are likely to take on a cautious stance on the North?s nuclear issue with the upcoming U.S. presidential elections in November.