South Korean police raided Starbucks Korea’s headquarters after a coffee tumbler promo called ‘Tank Day’ sparked a nationwide boycott.
The promotion, launched in May, featured a tumbler with a “tank” logo on the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, a day when many were killed by the military. Many said the “tank” reference was a call‑back to the armored vehicles used to crush pro‑democracy protests.
Starbucks immediately pulled the promotion and called it unintentional, but civic groups filed a criminal complaint alleging defamation of victims. The company also cut a short day for all its stores to let staff attend history lessons.
Shinsegae Group, which runs Starbucks in Korea, apologized for the “inappropriate marketing” and said the campaign hurt sales in a key market. It has since appointed a new chief executive after dismissing the previous one.
The incident became a political talking point during the local elections, with President Lee Jae‑Myung condemning the campaign as insulting to Gwangju’s victims. Opposition leaders turned Starbucks cups into symbols of protest against the government, highlighting the case’s deep cultural impact.
