South Korean Police Raid Starbucks Korea Headquarters Over Controversial "Tank Day" Marketing Campaign | WPN World People News

On the 5th, South Korean police conducted a search and seizure operation at Starbucks Korea's headquarters in Seoul. The investigation is focused on determining whether those responsible for the company's "Tank Day" marketing campaign in May intentionally sought to insult the victims of the 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement. Starbucks Korea's parent company, Shinsegae Group, has argued that portions of the promotional copy were generated by artificial intelligence (AI) and that managers failed to thoroughly review the attached materials during the approval process. However, police plan to examine the seized evidence to determine whether this explanation is a genuine account or an attempt to evade responsibility.

The controversy began during this year's 46th anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising, when Starbucks Korea launched a promotional campaign for a large-capacity insulated tumbler under the name "Tank Day." Given the historical significance of the anniversary, the use of the word "tank" immediately evoked memories of the military's use of tanks during the violent suppression of the 1980 Gwangju uprising. The campaign's slogan, "Tak! on the desk," further fueled criticism, as it appeared to reference the infamous government cover-up following the 1987 death of Seoul university student Park Jong-chul, who died under police torture. At the time, authorities falsely claimed that he had simply "collapsed with an 'ah' after someone banged on the desk."

Additional aspects of the campaign also drew scrutiny. The tumbler's 503-milliliter capacity matched the inmate number of former President Park Geun-hye; the 21% discount was seen as referencing May 21, the date martial law forces opened fire on civilians during the Gwangju Uprising; and the 10:00 a.m. launch time coincided with the time when the first major clashes erupted outside Chonnam National University in 1980. Critics argued that these and other details resembled the coded symbols and inside jokes commonly used by the far-right online community Ilbe Storehouse, which has frequently been accused of mocking the Gwangju victims.

Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin, former Starbucks Korea CEO Son Jeong-hyun, and other marketing executives have been formally charged by organizations representing victims of the Gwangju movement. They are accused of violating the Special Act on the May 18 Democratization Movement (including historical distortion and defamation), as well as charges of insult and criminal defamation. Chairman Chung Yong-jin has publicly apologized on multiple occasions, including bowing three times during a televised apology. Former CEO Son Jeong-hyun was dismissed from his position, and Starbucks Korea ordered all more than 2,000 stores nationwide to close for half a day so employees could undergo mandatory training on historical awareness and social sensitivity.