South Korean police raided Starbucks Korea headquarters amid an investigation into a marketing campaign that trivialized the 1980 Gwangju uprising and referenced a notorious torture death from the era.
Starbucks Korea closed over 2,000 stores for mandatory history training after a controversial campaign. The company faces questions about whether this addresses institutional failure or merely manages consequences, with critics calling for greater transparency and accountability from top management.
Starbucks Korea will close all 2,160 stores nationwide early Monday for employee training on historical awareness and social sensitivity, following backlash over a controversial promotion linked to the Gwangju pro-democracy uprising.
Police are questioning the head of Shinsegae Group's audit team over allegations that Starbucks Korea's "Tank Day" promotion insulted victims of the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy movement. The campaign, launched on the anniversary of the movement, used terms that evoked memories of the violent crackdown and a tortured student activist.
Starbucks Coreia do Sul demite CEO e oferece treinamento histórico a funcionários após campanha "SS Tank" ofender vítimas de repressão militar de 1980. A data "Tank Day" e o slogan "Bata na mesa!" geraram indignação pública.
Starbucks Korea will close over 2,000 stores for mandatory history and social sensitivity training after a promotion on May 18, the anniversary of the Gwangju massacre, sparked public outrage and boycotts. The closures will cost an estimated $1.4m in lost sales.
Starbucks Korea will close over 2,000 stores nationwide for half a day next week for staff to attend a history lesson. This follows a "Tank Day" promotion that evoked a deadly 1980 military crackdown on a pro-democracy uprising, causing public uproar and a sales decline.
Starbucks Korea stores will close early next week for employee history training following a public backlash over a marketing campaign that evoked the Gwangju Uprising. The campaign's "Tank Day" and "5/18" wording caused outrage, leading to the firing of the local CEO.
Starbucks Korea will close all stores early next week for mandatory history training following a public backlash over a marketing campaign that evoked a painful historical event. The campaign's wording "Tank Day" and "5/18" referenced a 1980 military crackdown on a pro-democracy uprising in Gwangju.
南韓星巴克因保溫杯促銷文案影射光州事件及朴鍾哲之死引發爭議，集團將對全體員工實施歷史教育與社會情感能力培訓，並於22日提前關閉全國門市讓員工參與線上課程。
Starbucks Korea is facing public anger for its "Tank Day" reusable cup promotion on May 18, the 46th anniversary of the Gwangju uprising, a deadly military crackdown on a pro-democracy movement where 165 civilians were killed.
Starbucks Korea Chairman Chung Yong-jin and employees will receive training on historical awareness and social sensitivity after a controversial "Tank Day" promotion linked to the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy uprising. The promotion, which used the word "tank" and a phrase evoking torture, was quickly suspended due to public backlash.
Starbucks Korea saw payments drop by over 10 billion won (US$6.5 million) in May following a controversial "Tank Day" promotion that evoked painful memories of the 1980 pro-democracy uprising. The event was suspended after public backlash.
Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin apologizes for Starbucks Korea's 'Tank Day' campaign, deemed insensitive to the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement. Despite no found malicious intent, the incident highlights internal oversight flaws and is increasingly politicized ahead of local elections.
Starbucks Korea faces significant sales drop after a marketing campaign linked to the Gwangju Uprising sparked public outrage, prompting an apology from Shinsegae Group's chairman.
Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin apologized for Starbucks Korea's 'Tank Day' promotion, which evoked painful memories of the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy movement crackdown. Chung vowed to inspect internal systems and raise social responsibility standards.
Starbucks Korea's sales plummeted after a 'Tank Day' campaign, coinciding with the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, sparked public outrage. The campaign was seen as insensitive to the pro-democracy movement's brutal suppression, leading to apologies, the firing of Starbucks Korea's head, and calls for boycotts.
Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin formally apologized for Starbucks Korea's controversial 'Tank Day' promotion, which coincided with the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy uprising. Chung expressed deep regret, vowed to take responsibility, and pledged to reform internal systems to prevent future insensitivity.
Shinsegae executive Chung apologized for a tumbler promotion that coincided with the Gwangju Democratic Uprising commemoration, drawing criticism for its perceived insensitivity and references to past human rights abuses.
Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin apologized for Starbucks Korea's "Tank Day" promotion, which coincided with the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy uprising, causing public anger and pain.
Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin apologized for Starbucks Korea's controversial 'Tank Day' promotion, which coincided with the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy movement crackdown. Chung expressed deep regret and asked for forgiveness, vowing to take responsibility for the incident that evoked painful memories.
Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin will issue a new apology this week for Starbucks Korea's "Tank Day" promotion, which critics say evoked painful memories of the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy movement and the 1987 torture death of activist Park Jong-chol.
South Korea's Ministry of SMEs and Startups reviewed the possibility of revoking a government award given to Starbucks Korea following controversy over marketing slogans allegedly disrespecting the May 18th Gwangju Uprising. The ministry concluded the award would not be revoked as the original grounds for the award were unrelated to the recent incident.
Starbucks Korea's prepaid card balance reached 420 billion won ($276M) by end-2025, a 8.2% rise. The company isn't regulated like other prepaid instruments, and refunds are restricted. This comes amid controversy over a marketing event that critics say mocked the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy movement.
