Story perspectives

Police Raid Starbucks Korea HQ Over Gwangju-Defaming Campaign

8/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

Police raided Starbucks Korea’s Seoul headquarters to investigate a “SS Tank” tumbler campaign that promoted “Tank Day” and defamed the 1980 Gwangju uprising.
Shinsegae Group cancelled the campaign, chairman Chung Yong-jin apologized on TV, and Starbucks Korea dismissed its chief executive.
All South Korean Starbucks stores closed early on June 22 for history and sensitivity training after Gwangju victims’ relatives, noting about 200 deaths, complained.

1 of 1

Story summary

Police raided Starbucks Korea’s Seoul headquarters to investigate a “SS Tank” tumbler campaign that promoted “Tank Day” and defamed the 1980 Gwangju uprising.
Shinsegae Group cancelled the campaign, chairman Chung Yong-jin apologized on TV, and Starbucks Korea dismissed its chief executive.
All South Korean Starbucks stores closed early on June 22 for history and sensitivity training after Gwangju victims’ relatives, noting about 200 deaths, complained.