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South Korean Interior Minister Says Government Will Avoid Starbucks Korea Products
Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung said the government will stop using products from the South Korean operator of Starbucks after a marketing campaign drew criticism. The campaign referenced tanks and a phrase linked to past pro-democracy events.
May 21, 5:43 AM·1m read1 source
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Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung said on Thursday that the government will stop using products from the South Korean operator of Starbucks after a marketing campaign drew criticism. Yun made the remarks in a post on X, saying he expresses "deep regret" over the recent action by Starbucks Korea on the anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju uprising.
He added that democracy was built on the sacrifice of many citizens and that treating that history lightly is an issue that cannot be taken lightly.
The campaign drew criticism because the word "tank" evoked memories of military tanks used during a 1980 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, while "tak" reminded people of student activist Park Jong-chol, who died in 1987 after being tortured.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency will investigate a complaint filed against Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin and Son Jung-hyun, former head of Starbucks Korea. A civic group filed the complaint on Wednesday over alleged insult and defamation related to the promotional event.
The case was initially filed at the Gangnam Police Station and later reallocated to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
