KEPCO Warns of Power Cuts at Six Homeplus Stores Between Oct. 27 and 30 Over Unpaid Bills

Six stores warned, one more in November

Industry reports on Oct. 26 name Pocheon Songu, Kintex, Goyang Terminal, Namyangju Jinjeop, Paju Unjeong and Gajwa as facing cuts between Oct. 27 and 30. The Incheon Songdo store has been told to expect one in November.

What stands out first: these are stores that have already shut, not shops that are open to shoppers.

Two months unpaid brings a warning, three can mean a cut

KEPCO's supply terms allow a cut warning after two months of unpaid bills and a halt to supply after three or more.

It can also defer, so whether the lights actually go out is not settled.

If the power goes, the whole building shuts

Each building still has about ten tenants, including a hair salon at the Goyang Terminal store. Under fire-safety law a power cut forces the entire building to suspend operations, taking them down too.

A Homeplus official said the stores cannot operate if the cut goes ahead.

A company paying wages in instalments

Homeplus is tight enough on cash that it is paying part of staff wages in instalments. A longer arrears problem could put more stores at risk of power cuts.