This study analyzes the comparative value chains of domestically caught coastal mackerel and Norwegian mackerel within the Korean market, across six stages: global supply and demand, domestic production and imports from Norway, distribution of raw mackerel, processing into semi-processed or final products, distribution of final products, and consumption. The research methodology combined qualitative and quantitative approaches, including in-depth interviews with 32 industry stakeholders (from fishing companies to government agencies) and an online survey of 400 Seoul consumers, utilizing conjoint analysis. Norway maintains market dominance through a demand-driven value chain, characterized by quality-focused production, efficient overseas processing networks in Southeast Asia and China, and aggressive marketing by the Norwegian Seafood Council. In contrast, Korea's coastal mackerel industry follows a supplier-driven value chain, facing challenges such as inconsistent quality due to year-round non-selective fishing, limited processing capabilities due to high labor costs and aging workforce, and lack of direct consumer marketing channels. The study identifies structural differences in the Korean market's value chain and suggests strategic improvements for the domestic mackerel industry while highlighting the need for a shift toward a more demand-oriented approach.

This study is aimed to analyze the change of chinese fishing vessels’entry into the East Sea off North Korea and suggest directions for countermeasures. Based on the real landing data in China, Chinese fishing vessels’squid catch volume and value in the East Sea off North Korea are estimated. Results show that at least 205 thousand tons of squid was caught by Chinese fishing vessels in 2014. If the catch amount is calculated by the unit price per kilogram at the same year in Korea, it would be 556.3 billion KRW. As the UN sanctions become stricter with the recent resolution 2371 passed, Chinese fishing vessels’entry may increase in the future to compensate decreased seafood supply from North Korea. Even though there are not many options left for Korea to decrease the impact of Chinese depletive fishing, the study suggests countermeasures such as strengthening cooperative crack down on the Chinese illegal fishing vessels in Korean waters; increasing cooperation with UN member countries to incorporate banning the trade of fishing rights in the next UN sanctions; establishing regional fisheries management organization and managing migratory species with China and Japan cooperatively in the long term.