A coalition of pro-government parties, including the Democratic Party, the Rebuilding Korea Party, the Progressive Party, the Basic Income Party, and the Social Democratic Party, called for government-level mediation efforts ahead of the court's deadline to approve Homeplus's rehabilitation plan. They argued that government intervention is necessary because the livelihoods of 100,000 Homeplus workers, including direct and indirect employment, are at stake.
The pro-government parties made the demand on Monday at the National Assembly during a "preparatory meeting of political parties to propose National Assembly mediation and a social dialogue body to support Homeplus's rehabilitation and prevent mass unemployment."
Rep. Min Byoung-dug, chairman of the Democratic Party's Euljiro Committee for Protecting the Underprivileged and Practicing People's Livelihood, said, "If the rehabilitation process is halted and heads toward liquidation due to the irresponsible attitude of the major shareholder and creditors, it will not be one company's bankruptcy but a national livelihood disaster that drives 100,000 families to the edge of a cliff."
He also pointed out, "MBK Partners, the largest shareholder, bears the greatest responsibility, and Meritz (Meritz Financial Group) is the largest creditor," adding, "They have already reaped profits so far, yet they refuse to take even a single penny in losses. Rather, they show an attitude of trying to secure all profits to the very end." He continued, "The reality facing Homeplus now is an employment and livelihood crisis, and it is a public issue in which the state must actively intervene and mediate. We strongly urge the government's administrative support and mediation efforts."
Rep. Jeong Hye-kyung of the Progressive Party also raised her voice at the meeting, saying, "The government must not step back simply because it is a private company's rehabilitation process." She added, "If the government hesitates, workers and local communities will bear the damage. We strongly urge the government's responsible intervention and the injection of public funds."
The deadline for approving Homeplus's rehabilitation plan is July 3. The Seoul Rehabilitation Court has demanded that Homeplus-related creditors and the labor union submit supporting documents on a plan to raise an additional 200 billion won by Monday.
They demanded that MBK Partners and Meritz submit detailed accounting records by the morning of July 1. Rep. Kim Nam-keun of the Democratic Party met with reporters and explained, "We requested accounting records to verify the collateral value and other claims currently being asserted by Meritz."
