Gwangju in the headlines: backlash over Starbucks Korea’s “Tank Day” promo fuels debate on marketing ethics; city’s identity as a major S Korea hub remains.
Starbucks Korea has ordered a nationwide early closure of all stores for a half‑day history lesson and social sensitivity training following a controversial “Tank Day” promotion tied to the Gwangju Uprising. Executives will participate in separate training, as the company seeks to prevent a repeat of the PR crisis.