According to police on May 21, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency initially assigned the case involving Jeong and former Starbucks Korea CEO Son Jeong-hyun to the Gangnam Police Station but later reassigned it to the Public Crime Investigation Unit.
The Seoul police had originally designated the case to the Gangnam Police Station's Investigation Division 2, but due to the seriousness of the matter, they transferred it to the special unit within half a day.
The special unit is known for its expertise in investigations, comparable to that of the prosecution's special department, and is set to begin a thorough investigation starting with a witness interrogation on May 29.
Previously, the civic group People's Livelihood Countermeasures Committee filed a complaint against Jeong, Son, and other Starbucks Korea executives, claiming that the company's promotion of the 'Tank Tumbler Series' and phrases like 'Tank Day' and 'Tap on the Desk' on its event page were insulting and defamatory to the families of the May 18 victims and the citizens of Gwangju.
In response, a boycott of Starbucks has been launched across the country, including in Gwangju, and President Lee Jae-myung and the ruling party have criticized Starbucks repeatedly. The incident has gained international attention, escalating the situation further.
Additionally, Jeong's past remarks and far-right actions have come under scrutiny, leading to a decline in the stock prices of E-Mart and Shinsegae Group.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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