The five democratic, reformist, and progressive parties called for active government intervention to revive Homeplus Co. and prevent a massive unemployment crisis.
The five parties with seats—the Democratic Party of Korea, Rebuilding Korea Party, The Progressive Party, The Social Democratic Party of Korea, and Basic Income Party—held a meeting at the National Assembly on the 30th to discuss response measures to revive Homeplus Co. and prevent a massive unemployment crisis. Min Byung-deok of the Democratic Party of Korea said, "Homeplus Co. is not a simple distribution corporations but a matter of livelihood for about 100,000 people, including 19,000 directly employed workers, partner companies, and delivery drivers, and 300,000 if you include families," adding, "The largest shareholder, MBK Partners, and the main creditor, Meritz, must fulfill their responsibilities with a more forward-leaning attitude."
He went on, "The government must also recognize this situation not as a court receivership issue of an individual corporations but as an employment and livelihood crisis," stressing that "this is a public matter in which the state must actively intervene and mediate." He also added, "We strongly demand the government's administrative support and mediation efforts."
Min said, "The Euljiro Committee plans to visit the rehabilitation court to request proceedings focused on maintaining employment and protecting the survival rights of tenant businesses," adding, "We will also ask the Seoul Rehabilitation Court to consider extending the rehabilitation deadline scheduled for July 3."
Other parties with seats also called one after another for active government intervention. Lee Hae-min of the Rebuilding Korea Party said, "The top criterion for rehabilitation must be wage and employment protection, and the government and local governments should not remain on the sidelines but immediately move into emergency response."
Jeong Hye-kyung of The Progressive Party said, "The government must see social dialogue through to ensure it leads to real employment stability," emphasizing, "This week is effectively the last chance." She added, "If the government makes a decision, we can prevent large-scale unemployment, but if it hesitates, the damage will fall on workers and local communities," urging active intervention, including the injection of public funds.
The Seoul Rehabilitation Court has demanded that Homeplus Co. secure an additional approximately 200 billion won in emergency operating funds by today (the 30th) for approval of the rehabilitation plan on July 3. Homeplus Co. has not secured the court-requested emergency operating funds (DIP) loan.