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Photo: Homeplus |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Seoul, September 15, 2025 — The Homeplus labor union announced on the 15th that it will suspend its sit-in protest, which began in mid-April, after receiving assurances from the government regarding efforts to facilitate a responsible acquisition of the company.
Ahn Soo-yong, head of the Homeplus branch of the Mart Labor Union, stated, “On September 11, Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon visited the protest site and promised that the government is addressing this issue at a pan-governmental level and will actively pursue an M&A with a reliable buyer. Trusting this commitment, the union has decided to temporarily suspend the indefinite sit-in protest as of today.”
Ahn further noted that Minister Kim pledged to report the matter to the Presidential Office and to work toward forming a task force (TF) comprising relevant ministries and stakeholders before the Chuseok holiday.
The union leader warned, however, that if the government fails to deliver a response or makes insufficient progress before Chuseok, the union will escalate its actions, stating, “We will continue to fight until Homeplus is revived through a government-led M&A.”
Homeplus entered court receivership on March 4. In response, the union began a sit-in protest on April 14 in front of D-Tower in Jongno, Seoul, where MBK Partners’ office is located. The protest site was later relocated to the Presidential Office in Yongsan.
On September 12 and 13, the union organized simultaneous rallies across Seoul, Busan, Ulsan, and Suncheon, calling for swift resolution of the crisis.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
