North Korea reportedly has expressed intentions to repatriate some South Korean prisoners of war and some of the South Koreans the communist state has abducted over the years.

A diplomatic source in Seoul said Monday that the North recently expressed the intentions as part of efforts to improve inter-Korean ties.

The source added that the North also expressed its willingness to resume talks with the South on bilateral economic cooperation.

Earlier this month, the Defense Ministry said it was considering providing compensation to North Korea for the return of South Korean soldiers taken prisoner during the Korean War.

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.