Japan's Kyodo News Agency says the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is planning to adopt a Chairman's statement expressing deep concern over nuclear experiments conducted by South Korean scientists in the 1980s and 2000.

Quoting a diplomatic source familiar with the issue, the news agency said Thursday that a Chairman's statement by the U.N. nuclear watchdog, though not binding, would deal a heavy diplomatic blow to Seoul.

However, other news sources downplayed the possibility of such a statement being issued, saying the IAEA would unveil its final assessment on the matter in November, when it is expected to announce the results of its investigations into the controversial experiments.

The IAEA is set to hold a discussion on Seoul’s nuclear experiments around Friday or Saturday.