In-Season Guryongpo Gwamegi Commands a Premium This Year as Catches Decline

Gwamegi Grows Scarcer as Pacific Saury Catches Decline
Guryongpo Gwamegi Festival, Nov. 7-8, Promoted at National Assembly

As cold winds begin to blow, production and shipments have begun for gwamegi, Pohang’s signature winter specialty.
On November 4, the “2026 Seoul Promotional Event for Pohang Guryongpo Gwamegi” was held at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building in Seoul. The event was hosted by People Power Party lawmakers Kim Jeong-jae and Lee Sang-hwi, who represent Pohang. It featured a variety of dishes made with gwamegi and a tasting program.

At the “2026 Pohang Guryongpo Gwamegi Seoul Promotion Event,” held on the 4th at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building, People Power Party Floor Leader Jeong Jeomsik, lawmakers including Kim Jeongjae, Pohang Mayor Park Yongseon, comedians Jeong Beomgyun and Kim Younghee, and other attendees pose for a commemorative photo. Yonhap News Agency

The event was held to promote the Pohang Guryongpo Gwamegi Festival, which will take place on November 7 and 8 in Guryongpo-eup, southern Pohang, and to support fishers and merchants facing difficulties due to declining catches. This year, the local wholesale price has risen by nearly 20% from last year amid a decline in Pacific saury catches. Attendees included lawmakers such as People Power Party floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik and Pohang Mayor Park Yong-seon, as well as comedians Jeong Beom-gyun and Kim Young-hee.

Starting November 16 at Seoul Station, Pohang City plans to hold gwamegi promotional and sales events in major areas of the Seoul metropolitan region, continuing through the end of the year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.