Police Raid Starbucks Korea Headquarters Over 'Tank Day' Campaign Defamation Allegations
SEOUL — Police raided the headquarters of Starbucks Korea on Wednesday over allegations of defamation stemming from the coffee chain's controversial marketing campaign that critics say evoked painful memories of the 1980 pro-democracy uprising in Gwangju, according to Yonhap News Agency.
The search and seizure was carried out in connection with the company's "Tank Day" promotion, which was offered on the anniversary of the May 18 democracy movement. The campaign sparked public backlash because the word "tank" reminded many of the military's violent suppression of pro-democracy demonstrators during the uprising in the southwestern city of Gwangju.
A civic group earlier filed a complaint against Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin, alleging insult and defamation against the uprising's victims and their bereaved families. E-Mart, a key affiliate of Shinsegae Group, holds the controlling stake in Starbucks Korea.
According to Yonhap, the search-and-seizure warrant cited allegations that Starbucks insulted those involved in the pro-democracy movement. The raid follows an investigation that began in May over the alleged defamation. Police have since identified shortcomings in Starbucks Korea's internal inspection into the controversial campaign, which was scrapped shortly after its launch amid public outcry.
Investigators are now looking into whether company officials planned the promotional event with the intent to insult those involved in the pro-democracy movement, Yonhap reported.
The controversy stemmed from the promotion offering discounts on "Tank" tumbler sets, alongside the phrase, "Put it on the table with a sound of 'Tak!'" The word "Tak" also drew criticism because it reminded some people of student activist Park Jong-cheol, whose death under police torture in 1987 became a symbol of South Korea's democratization movement, according to Yonhap.
The May 18 Gwangju uprising is a deeply sensitive chapter in South Korean history, and the anniversary is a national day of remembrance. The military crackdown on the uprising resulted in numerous civilian deaths and injuries.
Starbucks Korea and Shinsegae Group have not yet issued public statements regarding the police raid. The investigation is ongoing.