North Koreans are now banned from fishing near the Russian border, according to announcements based on decrees from North Korean Central Party and the Ministry of People¡¯s Security [MPS]. The new fishing restrictions are not solely intended as a fence-mending effort, but rather as measures taken by the North Korean authorities in order to avoid an unsavory incident from occurring before Kim Jong Eun¡¯s much-anticipated visit to Russia in May for World War II anniversary celebrations. 

¡°At the beginning of this month, the entire country¡¯s fisheries industry was informed by the Chosun Workers¡¯ Party Central Committee that all fishing operations near the Russian border and downstream of the Tumen River are hereby banned,¡± a source from North Hamkyung Province told the Daily NK on February 23rd. ¡°In the past four days, offenders of sea entry and exit laws have been issued severe penalties. To emphasize its seriousness, the new decree has even been announced through the MPS.¡± 

He explained that the mandate from the MPS stipulates that fishing operations in the waterways near the Russian border are strictly forbidden and any person or parties who break this law will be subject to severe penalties. ¡°Guards from the 7th Squadron under North Korea¡¯s East Sea fleet command have already been deployed in positions to trap would-be fisherman in the waters surrounding Sonbong County.¡± 

A fishing ban of this nature is extreme rare, requiring tight-fisted control of fishing in the Northern Sea, which can only be made possible by the mobilization of multiple naval vessels, according to the source. ¡°In the past, spotting naval vessels patrolling the Tumen River or the Northern Seas was quite difficult. Even if you searched all day long, you might see only one or two,¡± he explained.

Naval patrol vessels are mostly concentrated in the south of Gangwon Province near the Military Demarcation Line, tasked with controlling any vessel that crosses over for fishing or other purposes.

The source asserted the Party¡¯s new laws on fishing restrictions, including the orders conveyed through the MPS, to show that the regime is taking pains to avoid any negative incidents before Kim Jong Eun¡¯s Russia visit--his first trip out of the country since rising to power. ¡°In order to receive economic support and investment from Russia, it will be important to create an amicable environment by undertaking these kinds of measures,¡± he said.

The stricter controls apply not only Gangwon Province¡¯s nearby seas, but also to the northern part of North Hamkyung Province¡¯s waterways, resulting in further strife for local fisherman who struggle to make a living.

These fisherman typically flock to the freshwater areas near the mouth of the Tumen River, particularly close to the maritime border with Russia, around squid season to take advantage of the abundance of quality sea life coming from the waters--a cornucopia of shellfish including shrimp, crabs, and squid; this has been the source of constant conflict with Russia.

In the past, those who crossed the border into Russian waters have been caught and detained by Russian authorities. North Korean fisherman converge on the region during squid and sailfin sandfish season, becoming a general nuisance for Russia and a burden to its naval officials.