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2 clusters · 30 sources · 9 days · First seen about 1 month ago · Last updated 29 days ago

Starbucks Korea Tank Day controversy

Overview

Starbucks Korea faced severe backlash following a May 2026 marketing campaign titled ‘Tank Day’. The promotion, which included stainless-steel tumblers and slogans such as ‘Thwack it on the table!’, was condemned for appearing to mock the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy uprising, where tanks were used to suppress activists.

The controversy led to nationwide protests and consumer boycotts. In response, Shinsegae Group chairman Chung Yong-jin issued public apologies, the company dismissed its CEO, and more than 2,000 stores were closed for mandatory social-sensitivity training.

The fallout has had significant legal and financial consequences. On August 5, 2026, Seoul Metropolitan Police raided the Starbucks Korea headquarters to investigate potential violations of the Special Act on the May 18 Democratization Movement, which criminalizes the defamation of movement participants. Additionally, the company reported an operating loss of 18.4 billion won in the second quarter, its first quarterly loss in 27 years, attributed to the boycott.

Entities

Starbucks Korea · Shinsegae Group · Son Jung‑hyun · Emart · Jung Yong‑jin

Timeline

29 days ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
Starbucks Korea reports first quarterly loss in 27 years
Starbucks Korea recorded its first quarterly loss in 27 years following a consumer boycott over a controversial marketing campaign perceived to mock the 1980 Gwangju Democratic Uprising.
about 1 month ago

[BUSINESS] 29 sources
South Korean police raid Starbucks Korea headquarters over ‘Tank Day’ controversy
Starbucks Korea’s “Tank Day” promotion tied to the May 18 Gwangju uprising led to public outrage, executive resignations and a police raid on its Seoul headquarters to investigate possible insult violations.

Sources

arabnews.pk · biblestudyguide.com · biz.heraldcorp.com · cafebiz.vn · cafef.vn · capital.fr · electricalengineer.ca · elpaisdominicano.do · en.tempo.co · independent.co.uk · japantimes.co.jp · japantoday.com · koreaherald.com · m.hani.co.kr · m.imaeil.com · m.koreaherald.com · m.soha.vn · mediaindonesia.com · metropolitanmagazine.it · nos.nl · nynazarenes.org · sapo.pt · sateconomy.co.kr · socialvalue.kr · stheadline.com · stv.seoul.co.kr · tabengan.com · tpo.nl · veja.abril.com.br · whec.com