Starbucks South Korea HQ Raided Over Controversial Promotion

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SEOUL: South Korean police raided the national headquarters of Starbucks Korea on Wednesday during an investigation into a controversial advertising campaign. The probe follows allegations that the promotion defamed and insulted activists slain during the 1980 pro-democracy protests.

The uproar erupted after Starbucks Korea launched a ‘Tank Day’ tumbler promotion on May 18. The date marks the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju uprising, where a military dictatorship deployed tanks, killing at least 165 civilians.

Bereaved families and a civic group filed a legal complaint naming Shinsegae Group chairman Chung Yong-jin and former Starbucks Korea CEO Son Jung-hyun. Son resigned over the furore, prompting public apologies and staff education and store closures.

Police are hunting for evidence missing from internal company audits. The scandal triggered a sharp sales drop, with estimated payment volumes falling 17 percent in South Korea.

Photo credits: AFP