Starbucks Korea to Close Stores June 24 for Gwangju Uprising Training After 'Tank Day' Backlash

M. local time on June 24 for three hours so employees can attend a company-wide history lesson on the Gwangju Uprising. The training marks the chain's first nationwide early closure since 1999.

It follows public criticism of a "Tank Day" marketing campaign that promoted a new reusable coffee thermos on the 46-year anniversary of the 1980 protests. " Protesters gathered outside stores and smashed the mugs and tumblers released for the promotion.

The marketing department selected the slogan after using an artificial intelligence tool, according to a statement from the company that holds the Starbucks licensing agreement in South Korea.

The chain's chief executive was dismissed the same day the promotion launched. The executive had apologized for the campaign and the thermos name before the dismissal and pledged company-wide training on historical awareness and ethics. The licensing company issued an apology the following day and said its chairman will participate in the training.

The Gwangju Uprising consisted of pro-democracy protests against the country's then-dictator in which at least 165 people were killed, though other accounts place the death toll in the thousands. " South Korea's president described the campaign as "inhumane and disgraceful" on social media during the initial backlash.