Homeplus Store Owners Urge Government to Pay Security Deposits, Settlements

Store owners are facing threats to their livelihoods as they fail to recover security deposits and sales revenue (settlements) from stores where operations have been suspended. At a rally held in front of the Blue House in Seoul on the 15th, owners appealed to the severed communication with Homeplus management and demanded measures from the government and local authorities to guarantee their right to survive.

Jo Ji-young, who runs a cafe at the same branch, stated she had not received approximately 10 million won in settlement payments for June. Son Yong-hoon, who operates a restaurant business at the Gangdong branch, replied that the total damages, combining security deposits and unpaid receivables, amount to about 50 million won. An owner operating a clinic at the Busan Asiad Branch reported receiving a notice of power suspension due to Homeplus failing to pay electricity bills for three months. The owner requested that the billing rights be transferred to the store owner, rather than Homeplus which is the contracting party, to prevent business losses.

The Store Owners' Council pointed out the current situation where small business owners, who operated faithfully in trust of the law, are now left bearing the burden. The council demanded the government and local authorities implement measures to protect sales proceeds and rental security deposits, as well as guarantee minimum business rights.