Starbucks Korea

Starbucks Korea, managed by Shinsegae Group, is currently facing significant public backlash and has seen its CEO, Sohn Jeong-hyun, terminated. This action follows the launch of a promotional campaign on May 18th, coinciding with the anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising crackdown. The campaign, featuring a "Tank Day" event and "Tank" tumbler series, was widely perceived as insensitive and referencing the military tanks used during the brutal suppression of pro-democracy protesters in 1980. The promotion sparked outrage, calls for boycotts, and strong criticism from political figures. Shinsegae Group cited "inappropriate marketing" as the reason for the dismissal, highlighting the severe repercussions of the campaign's perceived historical insensitivity and its impact on the brand's reputation in South Korea.