Seoul:<Text>

The unification ministry of South Korea is set to review a request from Ahn Hak-sop, a 95-year-old former North Korean soldier, to be allowed to return to the North. Ahn, who was imprisoned for decades in South Korea, is part of a group of "unconverted long-term prisoners" who have not renounced their communist ideology.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Ahn recently attempted to cross a border bridge to return to North Korea but was halted by South Korean troops stationed in the restricted area. The civic group representing Ahn submitted a request to the unification ministry last month, seeking a response regarding his desire to return.

In a written response to the civic group, a ministry official stated, "The government will review this issue ... (We) are regretful over Ahn Hak-sop's pain caused by the division and express deep sympathy." The government acknowledged the urgency due to the advanced age of individuals like Ahn who still wish to be repatriated to North Korea.

Ahn was captured in April 1953 during the Korean War while serving with the North Korean military. He was convicted of aiding North Korea and spent 42 years in prison before his release in 1995. In a previous instance, 63 unconverted long-term prisoners were repatriated to North Korea in September 2000, following an inter-Korean summit in June of that year. However, further repatriations have not occurred since then.