The Mart Industry Labor Union Homeplus branch pointed out that Kim Kwang-il, vice chairman of MBK Partners, is evading responsibility for the corporate rehabilitation of Homeplus.
On the 14th, the Mart Union Homeplus branch noted in a written opinion that "Vice Chairman Kim Kwang-il conducted most of the responses directly during the press conference that day, but showed an evasive attitude regarding MBK's responsibility," adding that "Given that MBK is effectively and directly managing Homeplus, a responsible attitude toward this is necessary."
He also refuted Kim's comments at the press conference regarding ▲ Real estate-centered management ▲ Distorted transitions to regular employment and wage issues ▲ Restructuring.
The union stated, "MBK focused on generating revenue from real estate, increasing rental cost burdens by converting stores in Gajwa, Gimpo, Gimhae, Dongdaemun, and Buk Suwon to a sale and leaseback (S&LB) model right after acquiring Homeplus," adding that, "In contrast, its competitor Emart has maintained store numbers and secured long-term competitiveness by expanding warehouse-style stores after closing conventional discount stores."
The union opposed Vice Chairman Kim's response about reducing personnel due to difficult business conditions.
Earlier that morning, at the press conference, Vice Chairman Kim said, "Over the past 10 years, the number of customers has decreased by more than 30%," stating that "It has been impossible to replenish employees as the reduction was due to natural departures, among other reasons, because of the decline in customers."
In response, the union stated, "Since the acquisition, the direct management workforce of Homeplus has consistently decreased by about 4,400 people each year, and when including indirect employees, nearly 10,000 personnel have been reduced," noting that "The increase in labor intensity due to the personnel shortage has caused serious suffering for on-site employees."
They added, "Although new hires have been made recently, due to high-intensity labor and low wages, employees are unable to endure and are quitting, while existing workers are also facing an exacerbation of personnel shortages due to natural reductions from retirement and resignations."
The union claimed that the fundamental cause of Homeplus's management deterioration is not the 'regulation of superstores' but rather MBK's lack of investment and absence of strategy.
The union stated, "During the COVID-19 period, Emart grew through bold investment, while Homeplus failed after merely changing the store structures by operating Homeplus Special and Fulfillment Centers (FC) without proper investment."
Meanwhile, on the same day, An Soo-yong, Commissioner of the Homeplus branch of the Mart Union, held a one-person protest questioning MBK's responsibility at the Homeplus headquarters in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, from 9 to 10 a.m. where the press conference took place.