A South Korean sand carrier that collided with a North Korean fishing boat early Tuesday will return home Wednesday afternoon.

The South's Unification Ministry spokesman said that Pyongyang had informed Seoul through a telephone call that the "Dongi Number 1" vessel had left the North's Goseong Port at 3:00 p.m.

The ship is expected to cross the maritime border between the two Koreas around 7:00 p.m. before arriving at Geoje Port on Thursday afternoon.

The ministry spokesman said that a North Korean trading company selling sand had notified Acheon Global, the South Korean importer, that the collision was an accident, offering to resolve the issue on a private level.

The official noted that the North's quick response is a positive sign amid strained inter-Korean relations.