Translation result
“An outrage that uses state power to ignore free-market principles”
“We suspect this is a negative campaign exploiting the pain of May 18 to win elections”
A civic group that previously filed complaints against Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin over Starbucks Korea’s May 18 “Tank Day” promotion has now accused President Lee Jae-myung of coercing a Starbucks boycott.
The People’s Livelihood Measures Committee (Seominwi) filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on the 25th, naming five individuals: President Lee; Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-jung; Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho; Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek; and Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae. The group accused them of abuse of authority, coercion, obstruction of business, and violations of the Public Official Election Act.
In the complaint, Seominwi argued that the officials’ call for a Starbucks boycott amounted to an abuse of state power that disregarded free-market principles. The group said it reasonably suspects the move may be a negative campaign intended to exploit the trauma of the May 18 Gwangju uprising to influence the June 3 local elections.
Seominwi warned the action undermines the political neutrality of public servants and could restrict consumers’ choices and even affect voting rights. The group added that the boycott risks being misused to preserve power and sway electoral outcomes.
On May 18, Starbucks ran a “Tank Day” promotion that used phrases such as “tank” and “slap it on the desk” in its marketing materials, prompting controversy over whether the campaign belittled the May 18 pro-democracy movement.
President Lee publicly criticized the promotion at a Cabinet meeting on May 20, saying, “How can people who call themselves human do that?”
The following day, Minister Yoon announced a government-level boycott, saying the government will not procure products from companies that treat democratic history and values lightly or exploit them for commercial purposes.
The Justice Ministry then instructed the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office to review the purchase and use of government funds for Starbucks products.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism decided to replace the Starbucks Americano mobile coupons originally offered as prizes for the “2026 K-People’s Policy Communication Review” event — held from the 27th of last month through the 6th — with vouchers redeemable for drinks from other brands.
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