The government says that fishermen on five South Korean islands in the West Sea will see their fishing grounds increase two-and-a-half times if a proposed inter-Korean fishing zone is created.

Maritime Minister Kang Moo-hyun made the remarks Friday on a radio program, saying that the number of North Korean fishing boats allowed in the proposed zone will be limited, citing the large technology gap between the two sides.

Kang said that military security guarantees would be a key task in creating the zone, adding that other issues such as the zone's designation, management of fishing vessels and rescue operations should be discussed by fisheries officials of the two sides.