KEPCO, “Considering power cut depending on the situation of each store” in response to Homeplus electricity bill arrears

“An indefinite moratorium is not fair… Measures to protect small business owners are in place.”

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Jang Bo-in = While some Homeplus stores have received notices of power cuts due to non-payment of electricity bills, Korea Electric Power Corporation plans to review the situation at each store and decide whether or not to cut off power.

A KEPCO official said on the 28th, "In a situation where Homeplus' electricity bill arrears are prolonged, suspending supply indefinitely is not fair to other customers who faithfully pay their bills."

If the delinquency situation is not resolved, power cutoff will eventually become inevitable. According to the supply terms and conditions, KEPCO will issue a power cutoff notice if electricity bills are not paid for 2 months, and if the electricity bill is not paid for more than 3 months, electricity supply may be cut off.

KEPCO also pointed out that the accumulated receivables could ultimately lead to a burden on general electricity consumers.

It is known that KEPCO held an internal video conference the day before to share the situation of each store.

According to KEPCO, some store buildings with delinquent electricity bills have multiple mobile carrier repeaters installed or residential facilities, making it difficult to immediately cut off electricity supply.

A KEPCO official explained, "Places where there are unavoidable circumstances can review a short-term postponement of power outage and prepare countermeasures or take action, but a postponement cannot be made without a promise." He added, "We plan to review the situation for each store at the business office and head office and decide whether or not to cut off power."

He added, "As the Homeplus management entity is not carrying out essential safety management, such as firefighting, for the entire building, there are concerns that if electricity continues to be supplied, problems such as fires and safety accidents will cause further confusion."

KEPCO said it is also preparing protective measures to minimize damage to small business owners located in Homeplus.

KEPCO explained, “If a store company applies for a transformer joint use agreement with KEPCO, the company can continue to use electricity even if electricity supply to Homeplus is stopped.”

He continued, “Even if a suspension of electricity supply is unavoidable in the future, we will provide sufficient advance notice to management entities and store companies, and take sequential and step-by-step measures in consideration of the on-site situation.”