Fishermen in Chongjin, North Hamgyong province, are struggling to secure fuel ahead of North Korea’s squid fishing season, which begins in earnest in late July 2026, with a growing fuel shortage threatening preparations for the catch that sustains many local households.
A source in North Hamgyong province told Daily NK on Friday that Chongjin fishermen are unable to find fuel, the most essential item needed before the season starts. “Even those with money can’t easily get it because supply is limited,” the source said.
Gasoline and diesel are currently selling in North Korean markets for 80,000 to 90,000 North Korean won per kilogram. But price is not the main obstacle. Fishermen need to secure a set amount of fuel in advance, and the shrinking volume reaching markets has made preparations difficult, the source said.
In Chongjin, squid fishing is not simply a seafood harvest. It forms the economic backbone that supports many Chongjin residents for roughly half of the year. Fishermen dry the squid caught over the summer, store it, and sell it later when prices rise to buy food and other necessities.
Squid drying work is also a major source of income for Chongjin residents. Many wait for boats to return to port, take the squid handed over to them, and dry it in exchange for processing fees.
Chinese trawlers add to fishermen’s woes
This year, the fuel shortage is undermining both the fishing season and the broader livelihood base for Chongjin residents, according to the source.
In the past, some boats traveled as far as waters near Russia to bring back large squid catches. Fuel shortages have made those longer trips largely impossible, forcing most boats to fish only in coastal waters off Chongjin. Local residents say that alone is unlikely to match past catch levels.
Large Chinese fishing vessels entering North Korea’s East Sea waters and sweeping up the catch have further reduced the volume available, adding to people’s worries. “We can’t reach distant waters because of the fuel shortage, and there isn’t much left to catch even close to shore because of the Chinese boats,” the source said. “That’s why people are more worried this year.”
Chongjin fishermen cannot simply give up on the season, since squid fishing determines their income for the year. But without fuel, going out to sea is difficult, and even those who manage to leave port are unlikely to match expected catch levels, leaving many uneasy.
Some people, anticipating a weaker squid season, are already looking into alternative sources of income.
“If squid fishing doesn’t go well this year, it will hit not just fishermen but people who rely on drying work too,” the source said. “As it becomes harder to make a living from fishing alone, more people are looking for work in wig material processing or other contract processing jobs.”
Reporting from inside North Korea
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July 13, 2026 at 08:15PM
by DailyNK(North Korean Media)