Shinsegae Group, owner of Starbucks Korea and retail titan, faces scrutiny after a controversial Tank Day marketing campaign and related investigations.
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.
Investigators have expanded their probe into Starbucks Korea after public backlash over a Tank Day promotion tied to the 1980 Gwangju uprising. Authorities are examining whether the campaign insulted victims of the democracy movement as stores closed for history lessons and executives face scrutiny.