Starbucks to Close All Stores Early Today Amid Marketing Controversy

스타벅스코리아 will close all its stores nationwide at 3 p.m. today as a follow-up to the controversy surrounding its 'Tank Day' marketing campaign.

This marks the first time since the opening of its first store in 1999 at Ewha Womans University that Starbucks Korea has closed early.

On June 16, Starbucks Korea posted notices in its 2,160 stores nationwide, apologizing for the inconvenience caused by the reduced hours and stating, "We will strive to provide a better customer experience."

After the early closure, Starbucks partners (employees) will watch training videos prepared by the headquarters on monitors provided to each store. Employees unable to attend the training in person due to vacations or other reasons will be required to complete the training online later.

The videos feature lectures recorded on June 17 by Professor Oh Je-yeon from Sungkyunkwan University's Department of History and Professor Koo Jeong-woo from the Department of Sociology, who spoke to Starbucks Korea headquarters staff and executives from its affiliate, E-Mart, on the topics of 'Correct Historical Awareness for Corporations' and 'Social Sensitivity and Ethical Standards.'

A Starbucks Korea official stated, "In addition to training on historical awareness and social sensitivity, we will conduct a 'Brand Value Workshop' to communicate the values and mission that Starbucks aims to uphold. This training, which will take about three hours, is aimed at preventing a recurrence of the Tank Day incident."

Jeong Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group, is also expected to watch the same training video ahead of a scheduled executive meeting on June 24.

Previously, Starbucks Korea faced backlash for using phrases like 'Tank Day' and 'Bang! on the Desk!' during a tumbler promotion event, which were perceived as mocking the May 18 Democratic Movement and the 1987 torture and death of activist Park Jong-cheol.

* This article has been translated by AI.