South Korean police raid Starbucks Korea HQ over 5·18 promotion

Seoul police’s wide‑area crime unit sent about 40 investigators to the Starbucks Korea headquarters in Gangnam on 5 August, executing a search‑and‑seizure warrant. Officers collected mobile phones, internal messenger logs and documents related to the planning of the “Tank Day” promotion.

The raid follows complaints by civic groups and families of victims of the 1980 Gwangju democracy movement, who say the campaign’s wording – such as “desk tak” – insulted those who suffered during the May 18 uprising. Earlier, a warrant was rejected, but police re‑issued it after finding deficiencies in the company’s internal audit. The investigation will determine whether Starbucks Korea officials, including those linked to Shinsegae Group chairman Chung Yong‑jin, acted with intent to defame the movement and whether criminal liability applies under the special law protecting the 5·18 legacy.