Gangwon Land CEO vacancy stretches to 30 months amid leadership crisis

Gangwon Land, the sole casino in South Korea open to domestic citizens, is grappling with an unprecedented leadership vacuum, with its top executive position remaining unfilled for 30 months. The company has initiated a public recruitment drive for its president and vice president, aiming to fill these critical roles within the next two months.

The current vacancy stems from the resignation of former CEO Lee Sam-geol in December 2023, just four months before the end of his term under the previous administration. Since then, the company has operated under acting leadership, first with Vice President Choi Cheol-gyu, who himself resigned in March to run for county mayor. This has led to a complex situation where the head of the management support division is acting as both president and vice president, while three out of four division heads are also operating under acting roles.

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Gangwon Land was born from the sacrifices and survival struggles of local residents who lost their livelihoods due to mine closures. It should no longer be reduced to a spoil of war for politicians or a position for reward appointments.

This prolonged leadership void is partly attributed to external factors, including political transitions and local opposition to perceived "parachute" appointments. The recruitment process for a new CEO began amidst political uncertainty following the presidential election, sparking strong protests from local communities who urged a halt to politically motivated appointments. The process has stalled through two years of the current administration, leaving the company in a state of continuous interim management.

The extended absence of permanent leadership is causing significant concern among local residents. Gangwon Land, with annual revenues of 1.4 trillion won, is a public enterprise established to revitalize the economy of the former coal mining regions of Jeongseon, Taebaek, Yeongwol, and Samcheok. Residents fear that the leadership vacuum will impede the company's strategic shift from a casino-centric model to a complex resort industry, jeopardizing the economic stability of the area. They are urging the appointment of a professional CEO with proven experience in the resort industry, free from political influence.

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We demand the appointment of a professional manager with proven expertise in the complex resort industry and corporate management.