South Korean Police Raid Starbucks Korea Over Tank Day Campaign Allegedly Insulting Gwangju Uprising Victims

InfoQuest··KR·Read original
2▲0 ▼2Impact / 5
Summary · why it matters

South Korean police raided the headquarters of Starbucks Korea today over allegations of insulting those involved in the pro-democracy movement through the Tank Day marketing campaign, which was held on the anniversary of the 1980 democratization movement. The campaign offered discounts on Tank tumbler sets with promotional messages that reminded the public of the tanks used to suppress protesters during the Gwangju Uprising, drawing heavy criticism and being quickly canceled. Civic groups filed a complaint against Chung Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group, on charges of insult and defamation. E-Mart, a key subsidiary of Shinsegae Group, is the majority shareholder of Starbucks Korea. Police are investigating whether executives and staff had intent to insult, after finding flaws in the company's internal review.

Impact on assets 2

Consumer Staples▼
E-Mart
139480
▼ NegativeRegulationrelevance

E-Mart, as majority shareholder of Starbucks Korea, faces police raid and investigation over the campaign.

Consumer Discretionary▼
Shinsegae
004170
▼ NegativeRegulationrelevance

Chairman Chung Yong-jin faces criminal complaint over Tank Day campaign insulting Gwangju victims.

Off-coverage companies 1

Starbucks Koreai
Private▼ NegativeRegulationrelevance

Starbucks Korea's headquarters raided and investigated for insulting Gwangju uprising victims.