Grand Korea Leisure (GKL), a quasi-public corporation operating the foreigner-only casino Seven Luck, is actively pursuing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management. The company has been recognized for its eco-friendly initiatives and is consistently engaged in community service activities for marginalized groups.
On August 13, GKL announced that it received the 'Seoul Mayor's Award' in the environmental category at the 21st '2026 Korea ESG Awards' ceremony held at the Korea Press Center.
The 'Korea ESG Awards' is an event sponsored by the National Assembly, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, and organized by the Korea Service Industry Promotion Agency. It selects companies and institutions that play a leading role in ESG management based on comprehensive evaluations of their environmental, social, and transparent management activities.
This award acknowledges GKL's ongoing efforts in eco-friendly activities. The company has implemented various initiatives, including recycling waste plastics and bottle caps generated at its casino facilities, upcycling discarded umbrellas, and operating a clothing donation program. Additionally, the 'GKL Dream Hope Volunteer Group,' composed of GKL employees, has engaged in community activities such as beach and river clean-ups, plogging, urban gardening, and donating acorn trees to preserve local ecosystems and biodiversity.
Through these initiatives, GKL has reduced a total of 59,812.44 kg of carbon emissions. According to the National Institute of Forest Science's standard carbon absorption rates, this is equivalent to planting approximately 6,955 thirty-year-old pine trees.
Yoon Doo-hyun, CEO of GKL, stated, "We will continue to fulfill our social responsibilities as a public enterprise through ESG management activities aligned with our organizational purpose and management strategy. We aim to become a model public enterprise that leads ESG co-growth by promoting environmental sustainability in local communities and cleaning urban tourist sites."
In addition to its environmental efforts, GKL is actively expanding its social contribution activities for the community.
On August 12, GKL collaborated with the Busanjin Center for Independent Living for the Disabled to conduct a volunteer activity called 'A Meal Filled with Affection' for socially isolated households. This program fosters connections between marginalized neighbors and volunteers by cooking together, and it is part of GKL's flagship public support initiative, the 'Three Goods Project.'
Now in its fifth year, the Three Goods Project aims to identify and support crisis households that fall outside the welfare system through public-private partnerships. It operates in three areas: 'Find and Support' for households facing economic crises, 'Visit and Support' for socially isolated individuals, and 'Provide Tailored Support.' During this volunteer activity, seven disabled households participated, and the meals prepared by the GKL Dream Hope Volunteer Group were delivered directly to other isolated households.
Meanwhile, GKL was internationally recognized last year, receiving the Platinum Award in the customer service category for its ESG report at the '2024/25 LACP Vision Awards' organized by the U.S. Communication Alliance (LACP).
* This article has been translated by AI.
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