Kangwon Land’s new chief executive, Kim Do-gyun, has pledged to accelerate the casino operator’s K-HIT investment program as part of its transformation into a year-round entertainment and tourism destination.
Kim outlined the strategy after formally taking office on September 2nd, according to a company announcement.
The company plans to connect its High1 Resort in Jeongseon with surrounding forests, former mining communities and other regional attractions through an integrated tourism belt. Kim also called for regulatory reforms intended to support Kangwon Land’s transition into what the company describes as a global public-sector integrated resort.
K-HIT has previously been presented as a KRW3 trillion ($2.21 billion) investment program running through 2035. The plan includes expanded gaming and hotel facilities, new leisure attractions and a greater focus on non-gaming revenue.
Kim also pledged to strengthen Kangwon Land’s artificial intelligence-based gambling addiction prevention system and establish a responsible tourism model.
The executive was appointed at an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting on August 26th. He becomes Kangwon Land’s 11th CEO and takes over after the state-controlled operator was led by a succession of interim executives.
Kangwon Land operates South Korea’s only casino permitted to admit local residents.
