The South Korean authorities rescued yet
another North Korean fisherman on the 16th. The lone male’s ship, which had
experienced mechanical difficulties and was drifting in the vicinity of Dokdo, was
the third North Korean fishing vessel to be rescued off the east coast of the
Korean Peninsula in as many weeks.
On the 31st of last month, three
other North Korean fishermen were rescued from their vessel off the north coast
of Ulleungdo. On the 13th, about 60 km northeast of Dokdo, a small
fishing boat (2t in size) was sinking when its five crewmen were rescued.
In Korean waters, the squid-fishing season
begins at the end of May and runs through the summer to the beginning of
October. In this period, many ships sail from ports in North and South
Hamkyung, and Gangwon provinces to the rich fishing grounds around the islands
in the deeper waters of the East Sea. However, many of the North Korean ships
are in poor condition, and use illegally acquired fuel. When combined with
central targets, which are set without regard for the seaworthiness of the
vessels, this results in frequent breakdowns and the spate of castaways that we
are currently witnessing.
Recently, Kim Jong Eun alleged, “Despite
the fact that fishery units run by the People’s Army and the remaining units have
identical conditions, their results are very different.” He urged units
operating outside the military to be more aggressive in pursuit of their
targets. However, he did not pay any attention to the state of the vessels in
question.
On the 23rd, Daily NK interviewed
a North Korean defector who was in charge of such a fisheries enterprise. We examined
in detail the reasons why North Korean ships are found adrift with such
frequency, got the point of view of the fishermen who risk their lives, and
looked at the policies of the North Korean authorities.
– Why have so many North Korean vessels
ended up adrift like this in recent weeks?
It’s because it’s squid season. Right now
there are several thousand ships out off the east coast. Kim Jong Eun has been
emphasizing supplying marine products to children and other weak groups. This
means that all ships must sail without exception. There is also a saying in
North Korea: ‘squid keeps the people alive.’ This is how much people worry that
they may starve if they miss the chance to fish [for squid].
– The North Korean ships seem to be in very
poor condition. What’s your take on that?
To be honest, the North Korean vessels are in
a state of severe deterioration. Moreover, due to the North Korean idea of ‘self-reliant
development,’ oftentimes the fuel they sell is a fake mixture of fuel and a
bunch of alien substances. It is known that around 200 to 300 ships sink per
year. In the past there was a saying that you should bring a coffin when you go
to set sail. That’s how much people risk their lives when they go fishing.
– Once they are rescued, some of the
fishermen opt to defect, while others decide to be repatriated.
It’s because of their families, I think. Those
who choose to be repatriated go to sea not because they intend to defect, but
because they are members of a certain state-run enterprise. They risk their
lives in order to support their families and they will have thought, “I can’t
stay in South Korea by myself and live comfortably.”
– That’s understandable. So what happens to
the ones who return to North Korea?
As soon as a fisherman returns he is
investigated over a number of days by the State Security Department. Each is
investigated separately, with the main focus being to find out how and why that
person got as far as South Korea. If the investigation results showed that the
vessel had not been in difficulties, then he risks being sent to a labor
training unit or reeducation center.
Part of the investigation requires them to
write what they told the South Koreans, how they felt after their rescue, and whether
or not they felt any sort of longing to remain in the South. They write about
these issues several times, and if what they write in the beginning is
different from what they write later, they can end up going through a re-education
process.
– If the investigation turns up nothing
suspicious, can the fisherman return to his job?
They lose their license and are restricted from
going to sea for a period of time. However, because they went to the South and chose
to return, their loyalty is adjudged to be strong, and in some cases they are
allowed to return to their job immediately.
Even if that is not the case, normally they
pay a bribe to return to catching fish. Just 3 years ago the bribe would have
been 50-60,000 North Korean won, but it has probably rise a lot by now.
– Would they be placed under surveillance?
Because they experienced South Korea and
returned, they are restricted from coming into contact other citizens. However,
this control does not go on for long; rather, they are used as a propaganda
tool. They are made to attend people’s units and give talks about how “the
South Korean puppet army pressured them to defect.” It’s meant to instill
feelings of hostility towards the South.
