Kangwon Land Inc backs festival in South Korean coal town

South Korean casino resort operator Kangwon Land Inc says it has donated to the 22nd Black Diamond Festival and sent employee volunteers to an event at Dogye Market in Samcheok. The festival commemorates a local campaign to protect livelihoods in Dogye and promotes efforts to develop industries that can help the area diversify beyond coal mining. The casino firm has supported the festival with donations since 2010. Employee volunteers ran booths and activities at the event, including a coal-briquette-making activity that highlighted the area’s mining heritage. The casino operator said its contribution was intended to support the festival and help draw visitors to the area. It gave no figure for this year’s donation. The festival traces its origins to a campaign by Dogye residents to protect local livelihoods. Its organisers use the annual gathering to renew calls for investment in industries that can provide jobs as the local economy moves away from coal. Kangwon Land Inc chief executive, Kim Do-gyun, said in remarks at the festival that the company would expand its work with residents, with an emphasis on projects that bring tangible benefits to the local community. Kangwon Land Inc said it plans to open applications in late November for grants to support festivals and cultural events in former coal-mining areas in the first half of 2027. The initiative reflects Kangwon Land Inc’s historical ties to the former coal-mining region. The company operates Kangwon Land resort in Jeongseon county, Gangwon province. The complex features the only casino in South Korea permitted to serve local players.