North Korea has told U.S. officials that it could return an American intelligence vessel that it seized in 1968.

Diplomatic sources say Pyongyang expressed its intent last week when they escorted New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson to where the USS Pueblo is held on the Daedong River.

A source said the North failed to mention when or under what conditions it will return the vessel.

U.S. congressmen have consistently filed resolutions urging the ship's return. The House of Representatives submitted a bill in January on the 39th anniversary of the seizure.

A North Korean torpedo boat captured the USS Pueblo in 1968 while the American vessel conducted a scouting mission in waters off Wonsan.