The Standing Committee of the Jeju Provincial Council has approved Lotte Tour Development Co’s request to relocate its Jeju casino to the new US$1.4 billion Jeju Dream Tower.
While there are still two more hurdles to clear before relocation begins in earnest, the approval represents the most significant step yet for Lotte Tour following recent delays to the process amid protests by local citizen groups.
The application will now be put to a plenary session of the council on Thursday before a final decision is made by Governor Won Hee-ryong following discussions with the Jeju Casino Business Supervisory Committee.
Relocation of Lotte Tour’s Jeju casino from its current home at Jeju Grand Hotel would expand the gaming space by almost five times to more than 5,000 square meters and see the casino’s five gaming tables and 51 machines rise to 150 tables and 300 machines.
According to Korean news outlet News Quest, the Jeju Provincial Council’s Culture, Tourism and Sports Committee said Wednesday that Lotte Tour’s application, “Complies with employment regulations such as maintaining 80% of hiring for citizens and 80% of young people, and devises specific solutions for social side effects such as housing rights, learning rights and crime that local communities are concerned about.”
The tallest building in Jeju at 38 floors or 169 meters high, Jeju Dream Tower already features a retail mall, 14 restaurants and bars, an outdoor pool deck, top floor skydeck with lounge, two spas and a hotel – the 5-star Grand Hyatt Jeju.