Governor Kim Jintae Vows to Break Fishers' Triple Hardship with 39 Billion Won Injection... Bold 42% Increase from Last Year

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jintae) announced the "2026 Fishermen Support Policy" at the Gangneung Second Government Office on the 13th and held a meeting with heads of local fishing community associations to share the difficulties faced in the fisheries sector.

Kim Jintae, Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, is announcing the '2026 Fishermen Support Policy' at the Gangneung Second Government Office on the 13th. Photo provided by Gangwon Province

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The meeting was attended by Lee Wonkyu, Chairman of the Provincial Association of Fishing Village Heads, as well as the heads of the associations from Donghae, Sokcho, Samcheok, Goseong, and Yangyang, and the head of the Inland Fishers Federation, who conveyed the current business conditions in fisheries and their requests.

Governor Kim Jintae said, "I have heard many times that fishing communities are suffering from what is being called a triple hardship, as rising fuel prices, increasing labor costs, and declining catches are all occurring at the same time," adding, "The province is focusing on promoting a three-part support package for fishers that includes expanding support for tax-free fuel for fishing, creating accommodations for foreign crew members, and replacing engines on aging fishing vessels."

He went on to say, "We will carefully review the difficulties you have shared here today and translate them into policies that provide practical help."

This fisheries support package has been prepared to ease the management burden on fishing communities and create stable fishing conditions. A total of 39 billion won will be invested across three areas: livelihood welfare, revitalization of fishing villages, and future food industries. This represents an increase of 11.6 billion won (42%) compared with the previous year.

Support measures for fishers in Gangwon Province. Provided by Gangwon Province.

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First, 15.3 billion won will be provided for the livelihood welfare of fishers, an increase of 4.2 billion won from the previous year. To ease the management burden on fishers, the province plans to invest 10 billion won in support for tax-free fuel for fishing and provide 3.2 billion won for the project to replace engines on aging fishing vessels. In addition, while completing six accommodation facilities for foreign crew members, the province will also expand support programs for vulnerable groups such as women and foreign workers, thereby simultaneously promoting livelihood stability for fishers and improvements in working conditions.

For the revitalization of fishing villages, 22 billion won will be invested, an increase of 6.6 billion won from the previous year. To improve working conditions and prevent safety accidents, 15.2 billion won will be provided for the renovation and construction of gear storage warehouses and other facilities, and 6.8 billion won will be intensively invested in creating and restoring fishery resources, including stock enhancement and release projects.

For the future food industry sector, 1.7 billion won will be provided, an increase of 800 million won from the previous year. The province will work to improve the structure of the seafood industry and strengthen its competitiveness by modernizing distribution facilities in production areas, promoting seafood consumption, and developing new sales channels.

Meanwhile, a variety of proposals were put forward at the meeting to convey the hardships faced by fishers. In particular, participants suggested that it is necessary to expand projects for creating fishery resources, such as the creation of marine forests, stock enhancement and release projects for fishery seeds, and post-management of artificial reef complexes, and to prepare measures to resolve civil complaints that are continuously being raised regarding haerujil (recreational walking and gathering of marine organisms in coastal shallows).

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jintae) announced the "2026 Fisheries Support Policy" at the Gangneung Second Office on the 13th. Provided by Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province.

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There were also ongoing calls for institutional improvements, including expanding support for bereaved families of fishers lost at sea and widening the eligibility criteria for the direct payment system for crew members. In addition, participants proposed support for operating expenses of offices for fishers' associations and other measures to establish a stable foundation for the activities of fishers' organizations.

The province plans to review the proposals made at this meeting through the relevant departments and, where necessary, reflect them in the budget and promote institutional improvements, while continuing efforts to ensure that on-site opinions are incorporated into policy. In addition, to resolve the difficulties faced by fishers and promote the development of the fisheries industry, the province will strengthen its field-oriented policy implementation by regularly holding "Sea Provincial Government" visits and "Fishermen Meetings," in which officials directly visit fishing sites.

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