Homeplus affiliates stated on the 11th, "Homeplus headquarters verbally notified that the settlement payment for January sales will be restricted for some sectors," and urged, "Do not differentiate the payments."

On the same day, a large-scale store entrance council comprised of Homeplus affiliates and the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprises and Self-Employed Workers issued a statement, saying, "Do not limit the January settlement payment to only some companies, and please inform us of a settlement plan without differentiation through an official stance."

A customer carrying groceries comes out of a Homeplus store in downtown Seoul on Nov. 11./Courtesy of News1

They argued, "The Timap incident last year revealed that the Large-Scale Distribution Business Act does not protect the settlement payments of affiliates," adding, "Measures should be established to protect settlement payments against misappropriation or corporate rehabilitation procedures."

They continued, "The scope of the law should be expanded through amendments, and the settlement period should be shortened to within one week."

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