A group of North Korean sailors rescued in the East Sea by South Korean officials returned home on Friday.

The Unification Ministry said the six North Korean sailors were sent home through the military demarcation line. The ministry said it was initially planning on sending the sailors back to the North via the sea, however, the ministry chose to send the North Koreans via land after the sailors' ship sunk at the time of the rescue.

The 15-ton wooden ship carrying the North Koreans departed from North Korea's Jangjun Port on Monday. The ship’s engine broke down, leaving the sailors drifting for a day before being rescued by the South Korean maritime police on Tuesday.