Bibong Holdings Chief Executive Officer Bongheung Lee, background center, with Global One Asset Management Senior Advisor Sungjin Hahn and Executive Director Jongjin Kim listen to a question from a Rota resident, back to the camera, on Thursday at the Songsong Roundhouse.
SOUTH Korean investors on Thursday held a public meeting at the Songsong Roundhouse on Rota to listen to what residents had to say about their plan to build a new casino there.
Global One Asset Management and its local counterpart, Bibong Holdings, presented their plan for a casino and hotel development at the former Paupau Beach Resort in Songsong.
Bibong Holdings is the owner of Mariana Lighthouse on Navy Hill, Saipan.
On Rota, Bibong Holdings Chief Executive Officer Bongheung Lee was joined by Global One Asset Management Senior Advisor Sungjin Hahn and Executive Director Jongjin Kim in meeting with the people of Rota.
They said they plan to build a casino and hotel resort that will offer a “unique and exclusive experience” of the natural beauty of Rota “with world-class amenities and entertainment.”
They said their proposed investment will help increase economic activity, create jobs, stimulate tourism and create more revenue for Rota.
Lee at the same time said they recognize the challenges they will face, which include the lack of construction workers and the high cost of shipping materials to Rota.
But he said they also believe that with the government’s support they can build a new casino and hotel resort on the island.
In an interview, Lee said Rota has “a very beautiful environment,” similar to Jeju island in South Korea.
“Why not build many facilities on Rota that can invite more tourists?” he asked.
He said one of the facilities that can entice tourists to Rota is a casino. Their plan is to develop Rota into a “high-end” tourist destination. “Our target are rich people,” he added. “Some of them look for very exciting activities while others just want to relax in a very good environment that is safe and with fresh air and good views.”
A casino opened on Rota in 2010 but it eventually shut down.
