From encountering illegal fishing in the navy to working in government and eventually transitioning to NGO advocacy, Woojin Chung has dedicated her career to marine conservation. In Part 1, she shared her journey and how her experience and connections in government helped shape her work at EJF. She also discussed how government-NGO collaboration contributed to lifting Korea’s EU Yellow Card. (Read Part 1)
In this section, Woojin Chung talks about countermeasures against IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing, changes in Korea’s fisheries industry, and her expectations for international cooperation, including the 2025 Our Ocean Conference (OOC) in Busan.
— Having worked on IUU fishing countermeasures for years, what do you think is the key to solving this issue?
After spending six years in government and three years in an NGO, I’ve come to realize that the general public’s awareness and understanding of the problem are crucial. Even my own husband told me that, aside from me, he has never heard anyone talk about IUU fishing.
Another challenge is that IUU fishing is inherently difficult to detect since it happens in secrecy. According to RFMO (Regional Fisheries Management Organizations)*, only about 5% of longline vessels catching sashimi-grade tuna are monitored. Even with electronic reporting systems, there’s no way to verify accuracy if a vessel falsely reports that it didn’t catch anything.
At its core, the IUU fishing problem stems from a lack of effective monitoring. That’s why simply digitizing catch reports isn’t enough—we need multiple layers of oversight and verification.
— How is Korea’s fisheries industry evolving?
In Korea, the focus among companies is on using sustainability as a value-added feature for their products. Specifically, many businesses are investing in international certifications like MSC and ASC. However, at EJF, we believe that human rights due diligence must also be prioritized. Globally, particularly in Europe and the U.S., there is a growing shift toward stronger human rights protections in fisheries, but Korea still lacks the legal framework to address these issues effectively.
That said, both the government and seafood companies have become increasingly open to hearing and considering proposals from NGOs, which gives us some optimism. Facilitating active communication between various companies involved in Korea’s seafood supply chain and NGOs is an area that I personally see as a key priority moving forward.
For example, Dongwon Industries, one of Korea’s largest seafood companies, is a participant in SeaBOS. While companies are primarily focused on international recognition and technologies like AI, NGOs like us are focused on increasing transparency. Of course, technology plays a crucial role in this process, so we need to explore combined solutions that integrate both aspects.
— Korea will host the 2025 Our Ocean Conference (OOC)* in Busan. What is the government aiming to achieve at this event?
I see two main objectives. First, Korea wants to showcase its leadership in sustainable fisheries initiatives. Second, it aims to establish itself as a rule-maker within RFMOs. In IUU fishing countermeasures, Korea has long followed the lead of Western countries, but now there is a growing desire to not just comply with regulations, but actively take on a leadership role.
— What role will EJF play at OOC?
The goal of OOC is to create a platform that includes not just governments, but also researchers and NGOs. Among these, I believe NGO participation is key. Unlike the UN Ocean Conference, which is primarily government-led, or industry-focused meetings, OOC places significant emphasis on the role of NGOs. Recognizing this, the Korean government approached EJF to be an official partner in hosting the event.
Personally, I hope OOC goes beyond simply gathering participants to create a successful event. Since this will be the first time it is held in East Asia, I want to see all countries and regions in the region come together to make meaningful commitments. Ideally, this will also encourage the Korean government to take a broader, forward-thinking approach to marine conservation and set the foundation for long-term progress.
— You recently spoke at the Tokyo Sustainable Seafood Summit (TSSS) in October 2024 for the second time. What are your thoughts on the event?
I see two key benefits of TSSS. First, it provides a valuable networking opportunity. Particularly in Asia, it allows us to connect with others working on the same challenges, as well as learn from those who approach these issues from different perspectives.
Second, it offers a platform for discussing market-based solutions. It’s rare to have government officials, seafood companies, retailers, distributors, NGOs, and other stakeholders all in the same room, making it an invaluable space for exchanging ideas. I truly believe it would be beneficial to have a similar event in Korea.
— Achieving truly sustainable seafood is still a long-term challenge. Do you see opportunities for Korea and Japan to work together on this?
I’ve learned that Japan has already begun bilateral discussions on IUU fishing with the EU, the U.S., Thailand, and other countries and regions. I hope that Korea and Japan can also start discussions on IUU countermeasures and the development of regulatory frameworks for a more sustainable fisheries industry.
Both Korea and Japan are among the world’s largest seafood-trading nations and are also major fishing countries in Asia. A dialogue between these two nations could have a significant impact.
— Do you have specific initiatives in mind?
First, assessing how climate change is affecting marine resources. Rising ocean temperatures are causing dramatic shifts in fishing grounds, and multinational cooperation is essential to fully understand the scope of these changes.
Second, harmonizing traceability regulations. In Japan, the Fisheries Distribution Act currently covers four imported species, while in Korea, 21 species are subject to traceability requirements. However, in both countries, while catch certification is mandatory, the results are not publicly disclosed.
It may seem ambitious, but I believe that Korea and Japan could establish a two-way traceability system that connects everything from catch data to the entire supply chain.
Third, improving labor conditions. Both Korea and Japan are facing a declining and aging fisheries workforce. By using the ILO’s Work in Fishing Convention (C188) as a reference, we could examine labor conditions on fishing vessels and incorporate international agreements into domestic regulations. This could make the fishing industry a more attractive and sustainable career option for younger generations.
Fourth, cooperating on international platforms. If Korea and Japan strengthen their collaboration at major events like the 2025 APEC summit in Korea, it could lead to a more robust joint declaration on fisheries sustainability. To achieve this, ongoing communication and information sharing between NGOs will be crucial. That’s why I’m especially happy to have connected with Seafood Legacy during this event.
— This has been a truly insightful and forward-looking discussion. I understand you have a message for our readers to close with?
Yes, this is a message for everyone involved in Japan’s fisheries industry.
First and foremost, I want to express my deep respect and gratitude to those who contribute to global food security and the economy through their work. At the same time, I hope we can all share a sense of appreciation for the ocean, which provides us with boundless resources.
To Japan’s seafood companies and everyone directly or indirectly involved in the fisheries industry, I ask that you consider the ocean as an asset to be passed down to future generations. It is not only a rich resource sustained by biodiversity but also the world’s largest carbon sink, playing a crucial role in buffering climate change. Whether the next generation can continue to benefit from this invaluable asset depends on the choices we make today.
Ensuring sustainability and transparency is key to securing the future of the fisheries industry. By committing to responsible and ethical sourcing, we can not only protect the long-term health of our oceans but also sustain the livelihoods of those working in the industry for generations to come.
Woojin Chung
Senior Campaigner, Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), Korea Office. Previously worked at the South Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, handling seafood trade and tariff negotiations, and later as a program manager for port development aid projects. Before that, she served as a naval officer, assisting in classified information-sharing between the South Korean and U.S. navies.
Original Japanese text: Keiko Ihara
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