A minority political party in North Jeolla Province, southwestern Korea, is stumping for casino development on the coast as a way to boost tourism and introduce new industry to the region.
GGRAsia reported that the party, “center-right in its political outlook,” wants to see a casino that will be open to locals. “Building a casino will become a turning point for growth in North Jeolla Province,” the group was quoted as saying, according to Korea Bizwire.
The development site in question is reportedly a marine reclamation zone known as Saemangeum. The Bareunmirae Party (with a name that translates to Righteous Political Future) says the country’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries wants to designate the Saemangeum area as a special zone for marine leisure and tourism.
Korea Bizwire said an organization called Korean Federation for Environmental Movements subsequently issued a statement accusing the Barunmirae Party of “distorting the facts to make it seem like the government is actually planning to build a casino in the Saemangeum area to boost marine tourism.”
South Korea has 17 casinos, but just one, the remotely located Kangwon Land, is open to locals.
