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Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin has publicly apologized for a Starbucks Korea promotion that drew backlash for evoking painful memories of the 1980 Gwangju democracy movement crackdown. The promotion, criticized as historically insensitive, led to calls for a boycott and was withdrawn. Chung pledged to review advertising approval processes to prevent future incidents.
Starbucks Korea has suffered a significant drop in sales following a firestorm of public criticism over a controversial 'Tank Day' marketing campaign that evoked memories of the bloody 1980 Gwangju Uprising. The local operator's parent company, Shinsegae Group, has issued public apologies and fired the CEO, as calls for a boycott gain traction among government officials and the public.
Starbucks Korea CEO Son Jung-hyun has been dismissed after a promotional campaign evoked the bloody 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy uprising, drawing outrage from South Korea's president. Owner Shinsegae Group called the campaign 'inappropriate' and said Chairman Chung Yong-jin personally ordered Son's firing after a thorough internal investigation.
