Political uncertainty is not to blame for US casino operator Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) delaying the groundbreaking of its South Korean integrated resort project.

This week, Mohegan chairman Kevin Brown told The Day that the planned mid-November groundbreaking ceremony of the $1.6b first phase of the Inspire integrated resort in Incheon, South Korea was “not happening” and that the company was “retargeting for next spring.”

Brown said the delays were purely procedural, in that MGE (formerly the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Association) and its joint venture partner, chemicals manufacturer KCC Corp, simply needed more time to secure the necessary permits.

As proof that all was well, Brown noted that MGE had recently hosted Incheon mayor Yoo Jeong-bok at the company’s flagship Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut. Brown said the mayor used the occasion to sign a “cooperation agreement” with MGE, and while the agreement was non-binding, Brown called it “a significant demonstration of our continued partnership.”