The Defense Ministry says it is considering providing compensation to North Korea for the return of South Korean soldiers taken prisoner during the Korean War.

A ministry official cited West Germany's provision of material compensation to East Germany for repatriating their political prisoners as an example that should be looked into.

He added that the past administration had also proposed offering up significant incentives if the North agreed to resolve the issue.

Seventy-six prisoners of war have returned to South Korea since 1994, including six who defected this year. Nearly 160 of their family members have also returned to the country.

The ministry believes that about 560 South Korean POWs are still alive in the North.