Japan's Kyodo News Agency says that China has told members of the six-party nuclear talks that North Korea tried to enrich uranium.
The report quoting a source involved in the nuclear talks said China told Japan and some other members of the talks it believes the North "at least attempted to enrich uranium."
It is the first time that China has acknowledged North Korea's intent to enrich uranium, which has been one of the focal points in the nuclear talks that also involve South Korea, the United States, Japan and Russia.
Kyodo said the move is expected to influence the direction of discussions in the six-party talks, as North Korea may have to offer an explanation on the matter.
According to the report, some analysts say North Korea may concede and admit to having a low-enriched uranium program for energy use.
In October, 2002, the United States claimed that North Korea had admitted to a secret uranium enrichment program, re-igniting international concerns over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program.
But North Korea has since denied running such a uranium enrichment program. China had also remained skeptical about the U.S. claim prior to its recent acknowledgement.