Homeplus Receives 2 Trillion‑Won Emergency Funding to Restart Restructuring

South Korea’s Meritz Financial Group approved a 2 trillion‑won (≈US$1.5 bn) emergency operating loan for retailer Homeplus, allowing the company to file an immediate appeal and revive its court‑approved restructuring (DIP) plan. The loan is backed by a joint guarantee from Homeplus’s major shareholder MBK Partners and its chairman Kim Byung‑ju. After a court had earlier dismissed Homeplus’s restructuring, the retailer plans to use the funds to support its 37 closed stores, negotiate with suppliers and labour unions, and prepare a schedule for reopening.

Democratic Party lawmakers, led by Euljiro Committee chair Min Byung‑deok, welcomed the funding but urged the court to extend the restructuring period, demanded MBK halt any liquidation attempts, and called for legislation to prevent a repeat. They also highlighted a campaign to protect 300 000 families linked to Homeplus. The emergency financing is seen as a crucial step toward stabilising the retailer’s operations and safeguarding jobs and small‑business partners.