U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the improvement in inter-Korean relations as shown by the planned resumption of family reunions and North Korea's release of a South Korean fishing ship and its crew.

Ban released a spokesman’s statement Saturday saying he expects the measures will help foster an environment conducive to bettering bilateral ties and the peaceful resolution of the North's nuclear program and other pending concerns.

He also offered his help for the positive prospects on relations between the two Koreas.