Shinsegae Group

South Korean police raided the headquarters of Starbucks' local operation over a marketing campaign that was perceived as defaming 1980s pro-democracy movements. The controversial campaign used 'Tank Day,' marking an anniversary of a brutal uprising in Gwangju, and utilized slogans referencing past political cover-ups. Amid public outrage, Shinsegae Group forced Starbucks Korea to cancel the campaign and fire its chief executive.

South Korean police raided Starbucks' headquarters in Seoul following an investigation into a marketing campaign perceived as defaming 1980s pro-democracy movements. The controversy centered on promoting "SS Tank" by declaring May 18, the anniversary of the Gwangju uprising. Public outrage forced Shinsegae Group to cancel the campaign and fire the chief executive of Starbucks Korea.

South Korean police raided Starbucks’ local headquarters investigating a controversial marketing campaign that was perceived as defaming 1980s pro-democracy movements. The controversy stemmed from the promotion of “SS Tank” tumblers, linking May 18 to the brutal Gwangju uprising and using a slogan referencing Park Jong-chol's death. Following intense public outrage, Shinsegae Group canceled the campaign, fired the chief executive, and Starbucks Korea closed nationwide for mandatory training.

Shinsegae Group will close over 2,000 locations on June 22 at 3 p.m. following a marketing campaign that referenced a 1980 massacre. The decision was made after the campaign was criticized for evoking historical trauma.

Starbucks Korea is closing all stores early for mandatory history training following a marketing scandal. The parent company Shinsegae Group fired the Starbucks Korea CEO and issued a televised apology after a tumbler promotion was perceived as mocking victims of a 1980 military crackdown.

Starbucks Korea will close all stores early for mandatory history training following a controversial marketing campaign perceived as mocking victims of the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy uprising. The campaign, which used the slogan 'Thwack it on the table!', was canceled after backlash, and the CEO was fired. The training aims to address the controversy and prevent future issues.

Starbucks Korea will close all stores early on June 22 for mandatory history and social sensitivity training following backlash over a marketing campaign perceived as mocking victims of the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy uprising. Shinsegae Group, which owns a majority stake in Starbucks Korea, canceled the controversial 'Tank Day' promotion and fired the CEO after the campaign used a slogan linked to a 1987 police cover-up of a student activist's torture death.

Starbucks Korea will close all stores early on June 22 for mandatory history and social sensitivity training following backlash over a marketing campaign perceived as mocking victims of the 1980 Gwangju military crackdown. The campaign, promoting 'SS Tank' tumblers with the slogan 'Thwack it on the table!', was canceled hours after public outrage, leading to the CEO's dismissal and a police investigation.

South Korea's Starbucks marketing controversy has escalated into a police investigation of Shinsegae Group chairman Chung Yong-jin and former Starbucks Korea CEO Sohn Jeong-hyun, following criminal complaints alleging insult, defamation, and related violations. The probe is being scrutinized as a test of democratic principles against arbitrary power.

Starbucks Korea's May 18 promotion, which coincided with the anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising, sparked controversy by branding a tumbler as a 'tank.' Shinsegae Group chairman Chung Yong-jin issued two public apologies in two weeks, complicating South Korea's political landscape ahead of elections.

Starbucks Korea, owned by Shinsegae Group, experienced a significant sales decline due to backlash over its 'Tank Day' marketing campaign, which referenced the 1980 pro-democracy crackdown. Chairman Chung Yong-jin issued a second apology amid ongoing public outrage. Ferrari also announced its first fully electric supercar, 'Luce'.

Starbucks Korea's 'Tank Day' marketing event, criticized for inappropriately referencing South Korea's 1980s pro-democracy movement, led to a public apology from Shinsegae Group chairman Chung Yong-jin. Chung acknowledged the controversy and took responsibility for the backlash.