A high-ranking government official dismissed a Japanese daily’s report that North Korea had reactivated a five-megawatt nuclear reactor in Yongbyon ahead of the resumption of the six-way disarmament talks.

The official claimed he could not confirm the accuracy of the “incorrect” report due to a possible breach of national intelligence, but said he was told the alleged resumption of the reactors was not discussed at the latest round of six-way talks.

The Asahi Shimbun on Sunday quoted a senior U.S. official and other sources close to the talks as saying a U.S. spy satellite had confirmed steam coming from a boiler connected to the reactor.