Starbucks Korea Raided Over Defamation Claims Tied to Tank Day Promotion

South Korean police raided Starbucks' national headquarters over defamation claims tied to a controversial "Tank Day" promotion that sparked a boycott. The May campaign, launched on the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, was seen as referencing tanks used to crush pro-democracy protesters, killing hundreds. Starbucks rolled back the promotion, calling it unintentional, but civic groups filed a criminal complaint.

Operator Shinsegae Group's internal probe found the planning team missed the historical link, and management failed to catch it. In June, stores closed for half a day for staff history lessons, and the CEO was sacked. Sales fell sharply in one of the chain's largest markets.

Promotional material also used "tak on the table!", echoing a phrase from a 1987 police statement about a student activist's death. President Lee Jae Myung criticized the campaign as insulting victims, prompting a government boycott, while the opposition leader held up a Starbucks cup in defiance. The cups have since become a right-wing symbol in rallies and livestreams.