On May 19, many social media users expressed their discontent, stating, "It was thoughtless to have Tank Day on May 18," "I won't go there anymore," "I will use other cafes for a while," and "I was a fan of Starbucks, but I'm disappointed."
Previously, Starbucks Korea had launched a tumbler promotion event from May 15 to May 26, using phrases like 'Tank Day' and 'Bang on the Desk.'
This led to accusations on online communities and social media that the expressions belittled the May 18 Democracy Movement and the 1987 torture and death of activist Park Jong-cheol.
As the controversy escalated, Starbucks Korea issued an apology on its website. Additionally, Shin Yong-jin, chairman of the Shinsegae Group, dismissed the representative of Starbucks Korea (SCK Company) who oversaw the 'Tank Day' event.
On May 18, the Shinsegae Group announced, "In the afternoon, Chairman Shin informed SCK representative Son Jeong-hyeon of his dismissal," adding that he directed severe disciplinary action against those responsible for the controversy at Starbucks Korea.
The group stated, "We decided to dismiss the executive who planned and oversaw this event alongside Son Jeong-hyeon, and we take this matter very seriously, which is why we opted for the extreme measure of dismissing the CEO."
On the same day, President Lee Jae-myung also criticized the event on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "To hold a 'Tank Day' event that mocks the sacrifices and struggles of citizens on the historic anniversary of the Gwangju May 18 Democracy Movement..."
He further questioned, "How many innocent lives were lost that day, and how severe is the distortion of justice and history that resulted? What kind of heart could lead to such an act?"
He emphasized that there should be corresponding moral, administrative, legal, and political accountability, asking, "Have they apologized to the families of the May 18 victims and the survivors?"
He noted that Chairman Shin was particularly furious that this incident occurred on the day commemorating the noble spirit of the May 18 Gwangju Democracy Movement and ordered the strongest possible disciplinary measures from the group. He also directed a thorough internal investigation immediately after being informed of the incident.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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