A Japanese daily says North Korea is seeking talks with the U.S. through the so-called New York channel, or Pyongyang's representative to the United Nations in New York.

The Sankei Shimbun said Sunday that the U.S. and the North are at odds over the North's ballistic missile launches and nuclear test and the adoption of U.N. sanctions against the communist country.

The paper cited U.S. government officials as saying Pyongyang appears to be trying to avoid growing pressure through direct talks with Washington.

The report said that within the U.S. adminstration, certain voices want to accept the North's dialogue gesture but more are exercising caution, especially since President Barack Obama has denied compensation of any sort to the North.

The North's move apparently reflects its belief that it previously avoided global pressure and that the U.S. will agree to talks because of the detention of two American reporters in North Korea.