The fishermen’s boats had drifted into South Korean waters, officials said. The South’s new president has been trying to improve ties with North Korea.

South Korea on Wednesday repatriated six North Koreans across the maritime border in the East Sea, months after they drifted into southern waters and were rescued.

South Korea returned six North Koreans home via eastern waters, a South Korean government official said on Wednesday. Authorities in the South had found the six North Koreans earlier this year after their vessels had drifted south after they became stranded.