휴대전화 제조업체 팬택이 긴급 기자회견을 통해 눈물의 호소를 해 화제를 모았다.
10일 서울 상암동 팬택 사옥에서 열린 기자회견 장에는 이준우 팬택 대표이사 사장이 참석해 워크아웃과 관련한 현재 상황을 보고했다.
이 대표는 이통3사를 향해 “팬택은 그동안 차별화된 제품과 기술력으로 이통사에 기여를 해왔음에도 현재의 이통사의 큰 짐이 되어버린것 같다”며 “채권단 제시안이 받아들이기 쉽지 않다고 생각하지만 대한민국 이동통신 산업 생태계에서 팬택이 존속할 수 있도록 채권단 제시안을 이통사가 검토해주시기를 부탁드린다”고 호소했다.
또한 팬택은 눈물로 호소하며 “팬택이 오늘의 경영 위기를 맞게 된 데 대해 대표로서 무한한 책임을 통감하며 사죄의 말씀을 드린다” 며 “지난 5월 베가 아이언2를 내놓으면서 팬택의 희망을 말씀드렸지만 두 달이 지난 지금 생존에 대한 간절한 바람을 호소해야 하는 처지가 됐다”고 덧붙였다.
이어 이 대표는 “여러분께서 주신 마지막 기회로 생각하고 혼신의 노력을 다하겠다. 이대로 팬택이 사라지지 않도록 적극적으로 도와달라”고 눈물로 호소했다.
한편, 팬택은 이통3사의 출자전환 여부에 따라 워크아웃을 지속할지, 법정관리 수순을 밟게될지 생사의 갈림길에 놓인 상태다.
팬택 눈물의 호소 소식을 접한 네티즌들은 “팬택 눈물의 호소, 에휴 없어진다고 하니 뭔가 허전해”, “팬택 눈물의 호소, 어떡하다 저렇게 된거야”, “팬택 눈물의 호소, 내 핸드폰도 팬택에서 만들었는데”, “팬택 눈물의 호소, 살려줘라 이통3사야”, “팬택 눈물의 호소, 회생 가능성이 얼마나 될까” 등의 다양한 반응을 보였다. (onlinenews@heraldcorp.com)
<관련 영문 뉴스>
Pantech chief appeals for support
The CEO of the nation’s third-largest handset maker, Pantech, pleaded on Thursday for support from telecom carriers and its creditors in a bid to save the struggling company.
“Pantech can be a viable company if mobile carriers agree to a debt swap and the company carries out its plan to normalize the management,” said Lee Jun-woo, CEO of Pantech, at a press conference at its headquarters.
The press conference comes with the country’s three telecom giants ― SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus ― dragging their feet in participating in Pantech’s restructuring program despite the fact that they were given more time to consider the proposal from the creditors.
Pantech CEO Lee Jun-woo. (Yonhap)
The creditors, led by state-run Korea Development Bank, said they would carry out a debt-to-equity swap worth 300 billion won ($296 million). But according to the conditions, the three mobile carriers must chip in by agreeing to swap 180 billion won of funds Pantech owes them.
The Pantech chief executive apologized for the company’s management difficulties and appealed for support from mobile carriers and its creditors.
“We understand the proposal made by the creditors will require a tough decision from mobile carriers. But, we desperately plead for the positive consideration of the plan,” Lee said.
Lee also told creditors that “We hope you take stronger action to prevent Pantech’s debt work-out program from being suspended.”
If the three mobile carriers refuse to agree to a swap, Pantech will have to file for bankruptcy, he said. “The company is not yet in preparation for filing for receivership.”
“If Pantech goes into receivership, the company’s brand value will be diminished, and its partner companies may also go bankrupt,” the CEO said.
Regarding mobile carriers’ skeptical views on the company’s survival, he said that Pantech will be a viable company if it carries out a plan proposed by its creditors to normalize its management.
“Though the entire plan cannot be disclosed, we are confident that the company will see growing sales overseas in two years, and it can possibly be moved up a year,” he said.
By Shin Ji-hye (shinjh@heralcorp.com)
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