[DigitalToday reporter Lee Ji-young] Meritz Financial Group again urged MBK Partners and its chairman, Kim Byung-ju (김병주), the largest shareholder, to provide responsible funding support related to Homeplus’ rehabilitation. It argued that the largest shareholder should join in providing guarantees and sharing loss burdens before asking creditors.

Meritz Financial issued a statement on June 19, saying, "Chairman Kim Byung-ju, a 14 trillion won asset holder, must take responsibility for Homeplus’ rehabilitation."

Meritz Financial said MBK’s third fund, which invested in Homeplus, earned about 1.2 trillion won in profit despite Homeplus’ management failure. It also said MBK Partners is estimated to have earned total profits of more than 4 trillion won over the past decade from its four main funds as of the end of 2025.

Meritz Financial said MBK Partners has been passive in preparing an effective rehabilitation plan after the start of the rehabilitation process while only demanding additional loans from creditors. It said it believes Chairman Kim and MBK should participate in providing guarantees related to a 100 billion won DIP loan for Homeplus.

It also said a senior DIP loan without guarantees would shift risk to subordinated creditors and victims of electronic short-term bonds. It said that if a loan is implemented without effective guarantees, the structure could force additional creditors to accept losses.

Meritz Financial said, "As discussed by the Homeplus TF, we hope you will accept Meritz’s 100 billion won DIP loan and guarantee conditions as soon as possible," adding, "Forced claims made only to drag out time must stop."