The fishermen’s boats had drifted into South Korean waters, officials said. The South’s new president has been trying to improve ties with North Korea.

South Korea returned on Wednesday six North Koreans who had become stranded at sea earlier this year after their vessels had drifted south, Seoul's Unification Ministry said on Wednesday.

South Korea on Wednesday repatriated six North Koreans across the maritime border in the East Sea, months after they drifted into southern waters and were rescued.