As Chinese tourists visiting Korea, especially gamblers, have surged significantly, major Korean casinos are booming. According to Korea's “Jeju Voice” on July 15, the foreigner-only casino facilities at the Jeju International Convention Center (ICC) are basically complete. However, Korean environmental groups oppose this. They said, “Jeju Island will be transformed into a gambling island.”

The Jeju International Convention Center stated that, according to the main business report prepared by the Jeju Provincial Council ahead of the 319th extraordinary session of the Jeju Provincial Council, the promotion strategy for the construction of the foreigner-only casino, passed in May last year, has entered its final stage.

In response, the Jeju Environmental Movement Federation pointed out that a year ago, Jeju ICC, which claims to be the largest international convention center in Northeast Asia, was still celebrating annual sales of 12 billion won (about 73.2 million yuan), and its sudden shift in focus to casinos is incomprehensible to island residents. If Jeju ICC attempts to open the door to Jeju Island's development through conventions, it should make every effort to attract international conferences and carry out diversified promotion, rather than making the construction of a mere 1,800-square-meter foreigner-only casino facility the top priority.

The federation also said it only agrees that casinos can attract Chinese tourists and generate profits from them. It hopes that ICC will withdraw the casino construction plan, and that Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong should also take a firm opposing stance to reassure the public.