The unification ministry says it is hard to know whether six South Koreans detained in North Korea are still alive, but that Seoul seeks to resolve the issue through negotiation with Pyongyang.

A ministry official revealed the stance to reporters on Thursday when asked if it was possible to confirm whether the six South Korean detainees are dead or alive. 

The official said Seoul had repeatedly raised the issue with Pyongyang when the two Koreas were engaged in dialogue. 

The official added that during high-level inter-Korean talks held in June 2018, the North's chief delegate, Ri Son-gwon, had told the South's delegation that related institutes were thoroughly reviewing the matter.

The official went on to say that Seoul is intent on repatriating unconverted long-term North Korean prisoners of war on humanitarian grounds but is not considering connecting the issue to the repatriation of South Korean detainees.