Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung has reiterated that the Northern Limit Line (NLL) is not a territorial issue but a security concern. But he added that historical background on how the maritime border was first drawn can lead to varied interpretation.

Lee made the remarks prior to Tuesday's Cabinet meeting in response to a reporter's question on what he thought of National Intelligence Service Director Kim Man-bok's statement at the National Assembly the previous day that the NLL was a territorial matter.

The minister added that his focus is on easing military tension between the two Koreas and whether the issue is more of a territorial or security concern makes little difference.