A Japanese daily says North Korea will request more than half a million tons of fuel oil a year in return for suspending its nuclear facility in Yongbyon.

The Asahi Shimbun said Sunday that former U.S. State Department official Joel Witt told reporters Saturday about Pyongyang’s demands.

Witt held talks with the North's top negotiator to the six-way talks Kim Kye-kwan and diplomat Ri Gun.

The report said Kim confirmed that North Korea is willing to take initial steps to dismantle its nuclear program, including shutting down the Yongbyon facility and allowing in international inspectors and surveillance cameras.

In return, Pyongyang demanded energy assistance equivalent to more than 500,000 tons of fuel oil a year and the lifting of U.S. financial sanctions.

The daily said North Korea probably made its demands to U.S. nuclear point man Christopher Hill in talks last month in Beijing.