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Chung Yong-jin, chairman of the Shinsegae Group, will issue a public apology over Starbucks Korea’s controversy for allegedly disparaging the May 18 Democratic Movement.
On the 26th, he is expected to release a public apology addressing Starbucks Korea’s “Tank Day” promotion and to announce the findings of a group-wide fact-finding investigation.
Earlier, Starbucks ran a promotion selling tumblers the day before the May 18 anniversary and used the promotional label “Tank Day,” triggering public outrage. The event page also used the phrase 책상에 탁! (literally, “Thud on the desk!”). Critics said the campaign demeaned the May 18 Democratic Movement and the torture-related death of Park Jong-chul.
Starbucks immediately suspended the promotion and issued an initial apology. Chung dismissed Son Jeong-hyun, CEO of SCK Company, and other executives deemed responsible. On the 19th, Starbucks issued a public apology, calling the marketing “inappropriate and unacceptable.”
Public criticism of Starbucks has intensified. On the 18th, President Lee Jae-myung wrote on social media, “I am outraged by the inhuman, grotesque actions of profiteers who deny the Korean community, basic human rights, and the values of democracy.” Jeong Won-o, the Democratic Party’s candidate for Seoul mayor, also banned the use of Starbucks within his campaign and implemented other strict measures.
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