Starbucks Korea is facing mounting backlash over a "Tank Day" sales promotion held on the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, with condemnation statements emerging from multiple organizations.
The Gwangju Metropolitan Council issued a statement Thursday, declaring it "strongly condemns Starbucks Korea for commercially exploiting the wounds of May Gwangju through marketing." The council called for an indefinite boycott, full disclosure of the entire process from planning to execution, accountability measures for all involved personnel, and a direct apology from the chief executive.
"Transparently disclose the entire process of planning, reviewing, approving, posting and executing this event before the citizens, take responsible measures against all involved personnel, and clearly reveal the results before the people," the council said. "The chief executive must offer a sincere apology directly to Gwangju citizens and the public, and prepare fundamental recurrence prevention measures at a level that the public can trust."
The Gwangju Bar Association also issued a statement the same day, urging "Starbucks Korea management to offer profound atonement to the victims and bereaved families of the May 18 Democratization Movement and the citizens of Gwangju."
The bar association warned that if Starbucks fails to provide a sincere apology and recurrence prevention measures, it will consider all available means, including pursuing civil and criminal liability and launching consumer movements.
Starbucks Korea conducted a tumbler promotional event on the 18th, the anniversary of the May 18 Democratization Movement, using phrases such as "Tank Day" and "Tak on the desk." Online communities pointed out that these expressions denigrated the May 18 Democratization Movement and mocked the 1987 torture death of activist Park Jong-chul. In response, Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin issued an official apology, and a senior group executive visited Gwangju the following day to apologize. However, May 18 organizations refused to meet with him, and the criticism continues to reverberate.
