The Democratic Party of Korea is maintaining its advisory urging members to refrain from visiting Starbucks, even after Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin issued an apology over the controversial "Tank Day" marketing campaign, party Secretary General Cho Seung-rae said Thursday.
Appearing on an SBS radio program, Cho was asked about calls from figures including Kim Bu-kyum, the Democratic Party's candidate for Daegu mayor, to bring the dispute to an end. "The question of whether executives such as Chairman Chung Yong-jin hold mistaken perceptions about historical and social events, whether the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement or the Sewol ferry disaster, must be examined separately from issues concerning the company itself," Cho said.
Cho stressed that "raising issues regarding management problems on the executives' part, or their flawed views of history and values, must of course continue."
Asked whether the advisory against visiting Starbucks remains in effect, Cho replied, "It is being maintained as of now."
Meanwhile, Kim, the Democratic Party's Daegu mayoral candidate, said, "Shinsegae Chairman Chung Yong-jin has apologized for the 'Starbucks controversy' and clearly acknowledged his responsibility." He added, "Now that Chairman Chung has apologized, I respectfully ask that the government and ruling party also trust the public and watch how things unfold."
