A leading Japanese daily says the six-party nuclear talks are unlikely to be held this month.

Quoting officials in the Japanese Foreign Ministry, the Asahi Shimbun said Tuesday that Seoul's recent revelations of its secret nuclear activities has provided the North a good pretext not to attend the six-nation talks.

The paper said if the nuclear discussions fail to take place at the end of this month as previously agreed by the six nations, it would likely be difficult to open the talks next month as well, due to the run-up to the U.S. presidential elections.

The reports said if efforts to re-open the negotiations continue to falter, the very foundation of the six-way talks framework could be seriously undermined.