South Korean police on August 3 raided the headquarters of Starbucks in South Korea as part of an investigation into a controversial advertising campaign accused of defaming the pro-democracy movements of the 1980s.
According to Kyodo News, the marketing campaign drew widespread public criticism for using language and imagery that allegedly evoked negative associations with key historical events in South Korea's democratization process.
The raid comes as South Korean authorities expand their inquiry to clarify the responsibilities of those involved in designing and approving the campaign. Starbucks South Korea has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
A police spokesperson confirmed that the raid aimed to collect relevant documents and data for the investigation. The case has attracted significant public attention, especially given the sensitive historical and political issues in South Korea that are closely monitored.
