Starbucks in Trouble: Police Raid Company Headquarters After Massive Protests

South Korean police raided Starbucks headquarters in Seoul as part of an investigation into a marketing campaign that sparked outrage, after the coffee giant was accused of trivializing the memory of the democratic struggle in the 1980s. The campaign included cups named "SS Tank" and declaring May 18 as "Tank Day," symbolizing the Gwangju Uprising. Shinsegae Group, which holds 67.5% of Starbucks Korea shares, canceled the campaign and dismissed the CEO.

South Korean police raided Starbucks headquarters in Seoul this week as part of an investigation into a marketing campaign that sparked public outrage. The campaign included stainless steel cups named "SS Tank" and declaring May 18 as "Tank Day," a date symbolizing the Gwangju Uprising in 1980, when the military regime violently suppressed pro-democracy protests. The slogan "Hit the table!" was seen as a reference to the death of student activist Park Jong-chul in 1987, who died from torture during interrogation, while police then claimed he "hit the table." Following public anger, Shinsegae Group, which holds 67.5% of Starbucks Korea shares, canceled the campaign and dismissed the company's CEO. Group chairman Chung Yong-jin issued a public apology on television. Starbucks Korea closed all its branches for one day for mandatory training on history and social awareness. The investigation was opened following complaints from families of victims of the suppression in Gwangju, where, according to official data, about 200 people were killed. The transition to democracy in 1987 was accelerated after President Chun Doo-hwan agreed to constitutional reforms.