Jeju Governor Wi Seong-gon has called for a national response to the large casino resort planned for Osaka, saying the Japanese development could intensify competition for visitors.
Speaking during a Jeju Provincial Council question session on November 13, he said the issue extended beyond the island and required a review of South Korea's wider tourism policy.
Wi was responding to a question from Han Dong-su, chair of the council's Culture, Tourism and Sports Committee. Asked whether the province had assessed the likely effect on Jeju, the governor said no detailed analysis had yet been completed. He said Jeju would study the potential impact and develop countermeasures with the national Government.
The Osaka integrated resort is planned for Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay. Osaka Prefecture says it is targeting an fall 2030 opening. Its combination of casino gaming, hotels, meetings and entertainment would compete for some of the international travel and events spending that Jeju wants to attract.
Wi said Jeju's proposed 2027 budget includes KRW4.6bn ($3.45m) for a matched savings program for casino employees and tailored overseas promotion for individual casino operators. He did not give a separate amount for either measure.
The budget allocation is a proposal and is subject to the provincial approval process. The governor also said the Tourism Promotion Fund would support a broader strategy that includes improving conditions for skilled tourism workers.
A previous provincial council review described the employee program as a three-year savings plan for casino workers aged 19 to 39. Under the proposal discussed then, the province would contribute KRW250,000 a month, an operator KRW150,000 and an employee KRW100,000.
Officials said the implementation details would be settled after budget approval, so those contribution levels should be treated as proposed terms rather than final benefits.
For Jeju's broader tourism appeal, Wi proposed connecting its natural attractions and culture with meetings, conferences and performances to encourage longer stays. He also outlined plans to diversify overseas visitor markets and strengthen year-round tourism through incentives and promotion.
The governor did not set a timeline for the Osaka impact study or quantify how much business Jeju might lose.
In October, KB Securities called for Grand Korea Leisure to reinvest in its casino properties ahead of Osaka's 2030 opening, citing the potential challenge to its competitive position.
A Jeju Provincial Council record identifies eight casino operators on the island
