A South Korean sailor who was abducted to North Korea in August 1975 while squid fishing in the East Sea is confirmed to have escaped the North.

The sailor, 59-year-old Lee Han-seob, arrived at a South Korean mission in China on Friday and is reportedly in good health.

According to the head of a Seoul-based organization for families of those kidnapped to North Korea, Lee fled his home in Hoechang, South Pyongan Province in late May and successfully crossed the Tumen River.

Of the 33 fishermen aboard the captured boat, the 'Cheonhwang,' 63-year-old Go Myeong-seob returned to the South in 2005, followed by 67-year-old Choi Wook-il this January.