The government met directly with suppliers and in-store tenants of Homeplus to hear their difficulties and discuss ways to normalize their operations.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups said it held a meeting with Homeplus suppliers and in-store tenants on the 25th at the Seoul metropolitan support center of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, chaired by Vice Minister Lee Byung-kwon.
Homeplus resumed operations on the 13th. While the move is expected to gradually normalize the transactions and business activities of its suppliers and in-store tenants, the management difficulties and funding strains that piled up during the prolonged rehabilitation process remain unresolved.
At the meeting, the ministry listened directly to the difficulties that suppliers and in-store tenants are facing on the ground and reviewed the status of government support.
Participants said they are struggling with unsettled payments and falling sales caused by the prolonged Homeplus rehabilitation process, and called for continued government attention and swift support to normalize operations quickly.
"We are continuously checking on-site conditions to ensure swift support for the normalization of suppliers' and in-store tenants' operations," Vice Minister Lee said. "Based on the suggestions raised on the ground, we will continue to prepare additional support measures."
