South Korea police raid Starbucks office after 'Tank Day' promo
Investigators are examining whether the campaign, tied to Gwangju 1980 memorial events, was deliberately designed to insult victims.
South Korean police raided the Starbucks Korea headquarters on Wednesday as part of an investigation into a "Tank Day" tumbler promotion that drew accusations of insult and defamation. The campaign was launched in May to coincide with the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, a tragedy in which the military crushed a pro-democracy movement in Gwangju. The promotional material also carried the slogan "Put it on the table with a 'Tak!' sound," which sparked criticism for evoking a dark symbol of the period of repression. After protests spread, Starbucks Korea canceled the campaign. Police are now investigating whether company officials deliberately designed the promotion to insult the victims. Shinsegae Group, the parent company through E-Mart, has apologized and dismissed the head of Starbucks Korea.