A Japanese daily reports that North Korea claims that ten of its 50 accounts with a Macao-based bank were not used for illegal financial activities.

The U.S. froze North Korea's accounts with Banco Delta Asia, charging that they were a channel for money laundering by the impoverished communist country.

According to the Tokyo Shimbun, Pyongyang made the claim in Beijing during negotiations with Washington last month over U.S. financial sanctions. The Japanese newspaper said that the North expressed willingness to present documents supporting its argument at the next round of talks slated for this month.

Of the 50 accounts, 20 were opened in the name of North Korean banks, while eleven are owned by a North Korean trading company. The rest are registered under the names of North Korean individuals and Macao businesses.