Rep. Kim Nam-geun of the Democratic Party of Korea on the 14th claimed that MBK Partners deceived the public by saying there was a preferred bidder for Homeplus even though there was none. Vice Chairman Kim Kwang-il of MBK Partners denied it, saying he had never said there was a preferred bidder.
On this day, Rep. Kim questioned MBK Partners Chairman Kim Byung-ju and Vice Chairman Kim, who appeared before the National Policy Committee's audit, about the Homeplus sale process. He pointed out that they switched to an open sale after saying there was a preferred bidder, noting, "You intended corporate liquidation and deceived the public."
In response, Vice Chairman Kim said, "I did not say on Sept. 19 that there was a preferred bidder," adding, "I answered that we were in talks and negotiations with a limited pool of prospective buyers." When Rep. Kim asked, "Then whom were you negotiating with?" Vice Chairman Kim replied, "As this is an M&A process, please understand that it is difficult to disclose that here."
Earlier, on the 19th of last month, Chairman Kim met with Floor Leader Kim Byung-kee of the Democratic Party and said, "Since purchase negotiations are underway, we will put store closures on hold," but as Homeplus on the 2nd dropped the "stalking-horse" method that seeks a preferred bidder first and issued a public competitive bidding notice, allegations arose that this was deception to dodge the audit.