[Voice: Store Official: Reporter!! The employees here do not represent the company... Please conduct official interviews through the PR team.]
[Voice: Homeplus Store Employee: The PR team has resigned!]
The major hypermarket chain Homeplus is facing a crisis of bankruptcy following a court decision to terminate its rehabilitation proceedings.
The court determined that rehabilitation was unfeasible due to a deteriorating business environment, a short-term liquidity shortage amounting to 200 billion won, and the absence of a concrete plan to secure funding.
The Homeplus store visited by our reporter was already a scene of crisis.
[Anchor Kim Jong-won: It is said that business was quite strong even after the Homeplus situation erupted last year. However, since the court decided to terminate the rehabilitation proceedings a few days ago, this place has also been hit by a crisis. Let us go inside and see the situation.]
Following the court's decision, suppliers concerned about not receiving payments have begun withdrawing their goods, leaving store shelves empty and halting sales of fresh food, clothing, and general merchandise.
In some stores, direct employees, including cashiers, are even taking on cleaning duties, indicating disruptions in workforce management.
[Voice: Homeplus Store Employee: We have to do something to save the company. But people are playing it safe, fearing repercussions. It is truly heartbreaking.]
Frontline employees are enduring each day in frustration and anger. With 12,000 direct employees facing the risk of job loss, the livelihoods of up to 100,000 people, including those at partner companies and special employment workers, are under threat.
[Voice: Homeplus Employee (4th year): "If I leave here, how will I live? How will my family live?"... They say the employees pray every night for the company to be saved.]
The largest shareholder, MBK Partners, and the largest creditor, Meritz Financial Group, are at odds over plans to raise rehabilitation funds.
Final agreements between the two sides regarding capital injection and additional guarantees are currently being delayed.
The labor union has proposed that the government inject public funds, but the government remains cautious, citing the principle of private equity fund accountability and the justification for using taxpayer money.
With about 10 days remaining until the deadline set by the court, there is a possibility that if Homeplus fails to secure the 200 billion won required to implement its rehabilitation plan, the proceedings will be halted and lead to liquidation. In such a scenario, large-scale layoffs are expected, and a significant shock to partner companies and the local economy appears inevitable.
(Planning: Kim Da-yeon | Video Editing: Kim Na-on | Video Source: News Hunters | Produced by SBS Digital News)
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