Starbucks Tank Day Controversy Spreads

The repercussions of Starbucks' "Tank Day" event, which sparked controversy for allegedly mocking the May 18th Democratization Movement, are growing. As a boycott movement by citizens spreads, police have launched an investigation into a complaint filed against Chung Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group. Organizations representing victims of state violence held a press conference in front of the Gwanghwamun Starbucks in Seoul, urging Chairman Chung Yong-jin to resign, stating that Starbucks mocked the victims with its "Tank Day" event. One official criticized, "It is intentional, no matter how you think about it, to feature a tank, a symbol of the state's immense violence, on May 18th."

A Starbucks boycott is spreading on social media. Posts accompanied by photos of cut credit cards or tumblers, stating "Starbucks is finished" or that they have gotten rid of all Starbucks products at home, are being posted one after another. One citizen revealed, "It was so outrageous that they posted such promotional material precisely on that date," and stated they deleted the Starbucks app and received a refund. Another citizen said, "It's a painful event in history, and I regret that it has become a controversy," adding that they are reconsidering using Starbucks.

Complaints have also been filed alleging that phrases like "Tank Day" and "Slap on the Desk!" constitute defamation. Police have decided to consolidate and investigate the complaints filed against Chung Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group, and Son Jeong-hyun, former CEO of Starbucks Korea, for defamation and insult, which were filed at the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul and the Nambu Police Station in Gwangju, at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. It is expected that the key issue will be whether there was an intention to disparage individuals related to the May 18th movement during the event planning and approval process.

Starbucks Korea found itself embroiled in controversy over historical distortion and insult to victims by holding a tumbler sales event named "Tank Day" on May 18th, the anniversary of the May 18th Democratization Movement. It was pointed out that the event name evokes the deployment of tanks by the martial law army during the May 18th Democratization Movement, and the promotional phrase "Slap on the Desk!" brings to mind the police's cover-up remarks during the torture and death of activist Park Jong-chul in 1987.

As the controversy escalated, Chung Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group, issued a statement saying, "Starbucks Korea conducted inappropriate marketing that should not exist and cannot be tolerated," and added, "We have deeply hurt the spirits of the May 18th Democratization Movement, the bereaved families, and the people. On behalf of the group, I bow my head in apology." Starbucks Korea has temporarily postponed its summer promotions and marketing scheduled to begin next week.