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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Shahana Yasmin

Starbucks Korea dismisses CEO over controversial campaign

Starbucks South Korea
  • 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.

IN FULL

Starbucks Korea fires CEO after ‘Tank Day’ campaign sparks fury over dictatorship-era massacre

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