China has agreed to give custody of South Korean prisoners of war who escaped from North Korea to the South Korean government.

A government official said Thursday that Beijing changed its policy on the POWs to hand them over to the South instead of the North earlier this year.

As a result, diplomats will help war prisoners who cross the North Korea-China border to return home safely after questioning by Chinese authorities.

The government, however, declined to give details on the issue, fearing possible negative effects on POWs hiding in China.

Over five-hundred South Korean soldiers who were captured by the North during the Korean War are believed to be alive. However, Pyongyang has denied holding any South Koreans against their will.