"Lotte Department Store Masan Branch Closure ... Changwon Special City Prepares Win-Win Measures for Local Small Businesses"

Mayor Hong Nampyo: "The City Will Continue to Provide Maximum Support Whenever Possible"

Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam held an on-site grievance mediation meeting regarding the closure of the Lotte Department Store Masan branch (hereinafter referred to as Masan branch) at the City Hall Citizen Hall, hosted by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (hereinafter referred to as the Commission).

The meeting, held on the 14th, was attended by 30 small business owners from the Masan branch, Jeong Seungyun, Secretary General of the Commission, Hong Nampyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City, and about 40 other related parties. The small business owners signed an agreement on the mediation plan prepared by the Commission regarding the grievances raised by the tenants.

Changwon Special City Mayor Hong Nampyo is listening to an explanation about a win-win plan for small business owners related to the closure of Lotte Department Store Masan Branch.

In May, about 180 small business owners from the Masan branch filed a grievance with the Commission, stating, "Our livelihoods are at risk due to Lotte's sudden decision to close the store. Please come up with countermeasures." In response, the Commission held an emergency on-site grievance meeting at Masanhappo District Office on June 19, where relevant ministries discussed joint countermeasures.

Subsequently, the Commission held several rounds of consultations with the small business owners, Changwon Special City, relevant agencies, and representatives from Lotte Department Store, and prepared a win-win mediation plan among large corporations, small business owners, and public institutions to support small businesses and revitalize the local commercial district, including the provision of mutual growth support funds.

Mayor Hong Nampyo stated, "I hope that today's on-site mediation meeting by the Commission will serve as a stepping stone for new hope to sprout for the small business owners at the Masan branch," adding, "We will continue to do our utmost to provide as much support as possible from the city level."

Meanwhile, Changwon Special City formed a closure response task force (T/F) immediately after the news of the closure of the Lotte Department Store Masan branch was reported, and has been making efforts to listen to the support requests of the small business owners and to prepare appropriate support measures.