North Korea is known to have proposed high-ranking military talks with the United States on verification of its nuclear program during the Pyongyang visit of top U.S. nuclear negotiator Christopher Hill.

A diplomatic source said Pyongyang made the offer in claiming that its undeclared nuclear facilities are for military use.

The source also said the North reaffirmed its position that it cannot accept unilateral inspections of its nuclear facilities.

On the U.S. demand that inspectors be allowed to take samples of material at high-level nuclear waste storage sites, Pyongyang said it could allow checks at certain sites designated by the North, but rejected the taking of samples of the country.