The talks, involving North Korea, South Korea, Russia, Japan, China and the United States, were launched in 2003 to persuade North Korea to give up its controversial nuclear program after Pyongyang withdrew from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The talks stalled last November over Pyongyang's demand that the U.S. lift sanctions imposed on it for its alleged involvement in counterfeiting and other illegal activities.
"There is no sense in holding talks without preliminary agreements," said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Diplomats representing the parties to the talks have refused to comment officially on the state of affairs.
Following North Korea's announcement that it conducted its first nuclear test October 9, the media reported that the reclusive Communist state had major differences with the United States. But Pyongyang accused Japan of obstructing the talks and demanded Japan's withdrawal.
Pyongyang's nuclear test provoked widespread calls in the Japanese leadership for a stronger strategic defense capability.
"Focusing on its military policy ends, Japan is taking pains to prevent a positive solution to the problem on the Korean Peninsula," North Korea's Central Telegraph Agency said Wednesday.
The agency, which represents Pyongyang's official position, concluded that Japan will play an invariably negative role in further talks.
It cited as proof of intransigence Japanese foreign ministry demands that Pyongyang abandon nuclear weapons before talks can resume, and that the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, allegedly to train spies, be addressed.
The agency said there is no point revisiting the issue, as Pyongyang has offered an official apology for the abductions, and has released some of the Japanese who are still alive.
The agency called on the world community to note Japan's uncompromising position.
