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.
