Jin Kyo-hoon, the district mayor of Seoul's Gangseo-gu, visited the Homeplus Gangseo store — the chain's flagship location — on Friday to take part in a shopping campaign aimed at revitalizing the local economy.
Homeplus faced a crisis after a court ruling to terminate its rehabilitation proceedings forced all 67 of its stores nationwide to suspend operations temporarily from July 13. The chain secured 200 billion won ($141 million) in emergency operating funds and resumed business Friday.
To support the chain's return to normal operations, Jin visited the Gangseo flagship store alongside senior civil servants to take part in the shopping event.
The district mayor personally pushed a cart through the fresh produce and ready-meal sections, purchasing items including fruit and eggs.
The district has designated the period through Aug. 31 as an intensive campaign period to support Homeplus's full recovery, and plans to encourage all district employees to participate in shopping — both online and in-store.
"Homeplus resuming operations is more than just reopening its doors — it is a welcome signal that the local commercial district can breathe again and that hope is being restored for the many people who work at Homeplus and the businesses operating within it," Jin said. "I ask residents to join us with warm support and take part in the shopping campaign so that Homeplus can stabilize as quickly as possible."
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