Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung says the government has no intention to change or remove the Northern Limit Line (NLL).

During a lecture Friday, Lee called the proposed special zone in the West Sea an innovative idea, saying it's part of a plan to prevent inter-Korean clashes while maintaining the NLL.

When asked if the NLL would remain intact even after the planned joint fishing zone is created, he said it would and that he believes North Korea thinks the same as well.

During Wednesday's parliamentary inspection on the Unification Ministry, Lee said the criteria of equal area and distance from the NLL would not be appropriate for the fishing zone. But he also added the matter hadn't been discussed yet.

His remarks at the session raised speculation that the fishing area would be established south of the NLL.