- Starbucks Korea's CEO, Sohn Jeong Hyun, was dismissed by the Shinsegae Group following a controversial promotional campaign.
- The 'Tank Day' campaign, launched on 18th May, allegedly mocked South Korea's 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy movement and the 1987 torture death of student activist Park Jong Cheol.
- The promotion used phrases such as 'Tank Day' and 'Tak! on the desk', which resonated with traumatic historical events involving military suppression and a dictatorship-era cover-up.
- Starbucks Korea issued an apology, acknowledging the inappropriate use of wording connected to the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising, and pledged internal reviews and historical awareness training.
- The incident sparked widespread anger, calls for boycotts, and condemnation from South Korean president Lee Jae Myung and Starbucks headquarters in Seattle.
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