According to the Kyunghyang Shinmun, as authorities pursue an integrated casino resort open to locals as a way to jump-start Saemangeum's development, civic groups are demanding the plan be scrapped at once.

Under the special law supporting former mining regions, only one casino — Kangwon Land — may admit Korean nationals. A second would topple the ‘one venue’ principle maintained for over two decades.

Proponents cite a breakthrough for the stalled project, tourism demand and tax revenue, arguing no anchor facility attracts private capital like an integrated resort.

Opponents point to the social costs of gambling addiction, distorted local commerce and the experience of communities around Kangwon Land — wary of an exception granted to mining towns being cloned nationwide in the name of development.

With ethnic Chinese and Greater China tourists long counted among the casino industry's core customers, the outcome will also shape Korea's Chinese-market tourism and investment landscape.