Only Explained Future Procedures Through Accounting Firm
Refuted Claims via Briefing Materials
Homeplus clarified that it did not request rent reductions from real estate funds owning company stores, contrary to some reports claiming that it demanded rent adjustments.
On the 24th, Homeplus stated in a daily briefing, "Due to delays in rent payments for large marts, inquiries from landlords have continued, and to alleviate their concerns, we have been explaining the future procedures to landlords through our advisory firm (accounting firm). The claim that we requested rent reductions from large mart landlords through the accounting firm is not true," the company said.
Homeplus has stopped paying rent to landlords who purchased the sites through a sales and leaseback method since the start of the rehabilitation procedure on the 4th. When rehabilitation procedures begin, all debt repayments are suspended, and since rent is a type of debt, court approval is required.
Homeplus added, "We plan to hold consultations with landlords soon," and "We will sincerely engage in discussions, provide detailed explanations of the current situation, and strive to find the best way to minimize damage to all stakeholders."
Meanwhile, the amount Homeplus has repaid through commercial claims such as payments to partner suppliers and settlements with tenants stood at 485.7 billion KRW as of the morning of the day, an increase of 9.4 billion KRW from 476.3 billion KRW as of the morning of the 21st. A Homeplus official explained, "Most rehabilitation claims based on January repayments have been completed, and public claims incurred after February 12, 20 days before the rehabilitation application, as well as commercial claims payable after the start of rehabilitation, are being repaid sequentially."
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