Police raid Starbucks Korea headquarters over “Tank Day” fiasco
South Korean police descended on the national headquarters of Starbucks Korea on Tuesday after a wave of public outrage over a promotion that many said evoked the 1980 Gwangju Uprising.
The promotion, launched in May, offered a coffee tumbler named “Tank Day” on the anniversary of the uprising, an event in which hundreds were killed by forces of then military dictator Chun Do‑hwan. Many interpreted the “tank” reference as an offensive nod to the tanks that crushed pro‑democracy protestors, sparking a nationwide boycott campaign.
Starbucks Korea quickly pulled the promotion, calling it an unintentional mistake. Civil‑society groups sued the company, demanding a criminal investigation for defamation of the uprising’s victims. The parent company, Shinsegae Group, admitted the error was unintentional and that the team responsible had not understood the historical context.
In June, after the controversy escalated, the company forced a half‑day closure at all stores across the country to allow staff to attend mandatory history lessons. The incident also led to the dismissal of Starbucks Korea’s chief executive.
The standoff has become a political flashpoint, with the opposition elevating Starbucks cups as a symbol of resistance against the current administration. President Lee Jae‑Myung condemned the campaign as an insult to the victims and the struggle of Gwangju residents.
