Kangwon turns abandoned mines into modern resorts

Kangwon Land, a South Korean company that redevelops abandoned mines into resorts, casinos, and conference centres has been recognised as one of Korea’s most sustainable enterprises for its CSR and community activities. This year is the third consecutive year the company has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).

The company is based in Gangwon Province, a mineral-rich area adjacent to North Korea. Coal mining had traditionally sustained the region’s economy which collapsed when oil and gas replaced coal in the 1990’s. Kangwon Land was established as a public corporation in 1998 with the mission to restore the region’s economy.

Kangwon Land’s main brand is the High1 Resort, which includes a resort Hotel, a Convention Hotel, the Kangwon Land Casino, Ski resorts, and condominiums.

In addition to its redevelopment work, Kangwon provides scholarships to middle and high school students from low-income families in the area. It also offers financial support to young people seeking to enter universities.

The company also spends KRW 2 billion annually to treat and support pneumoconiosis patients in former mining districts and runs a range of community programs to protect the environment and prevent gambling addiction.

The casino uses electronic card systems to manage the risks of gambling addiction. These include such functions as monitoring the frequency of customer’s casino visits and game hours. It also enables customers to set loss limits, and programs mandatory counselling for frequent visitors.

Kangwon Land follows environmental management policies aimed at establishing an eco-friendly resort and has ISO 50001 certification for Energy Management System. In addition, the company has reduced both greenhouse gas emissions and energy and water consumption and made annual improvements in high-efficiency lighting, and continuous investments in new and renewable energy sources.

The company strictly observes applicable environmental laws, thereby ensuring that there were no violations of any relevant environmental laws in 2013 and 2014.

The company is committed to helping to resolve the problems resulting from the regional hollowing out by creating new jobs for marginalized groups, such as the elderly and disabled, and promoting the revitalization of the local economy. It has provided around 1500 people with jobs at 21 establishments over the last five years.

In 2014, the company created jobs for 62 people by supporting the opening of six new places of business including an Agricultural Specialty Product Market, which sells dried wild edible greens gathered by residents, local specialty produce, and seasonal foods.