North Korea has hinted at linking inter-Korean relations with the nuclear issue.

The Choson Sinbo said Monday that recent statements by South Korean officials on North Korea could become a key variable that will pull back efforts to resolve the nuclear standoff.

The report in the newspaper published by North Koreans residing in Japan represents a reversal for Pyongyang. The communist state had said it would separate the nuclear issue and inter-Korean relations shortly after the second nuclear crisis in 2002.

According to Kim Sung-bae, a researcher at The Institute for National Security Strategy, the paper’s comments are likely aimed at pressing the Lee Myung-bak government to shift its North Korea policy. He added the report may also indicate that a resolution to the nuclear standoff could be delayed.

The Choson Sinbo's comments come as U.S. nuclear envoy Christopher Hill is scheduled to arrive in Seoul on Tuesday.

Attention is being drawn to whether Hill’s visit would lead to a possible agreement on North Korea's long delayed nuclear declaration.