Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin issued a public apology over the controversial “Tank Day” promotion by Starbucks Korea. The event on May 18, the anniversary of the Gwangju Democratic Uprising, used phrases that evoked military tanks and a torture incident.
Chung Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group, issued a public apology Tuesday over the controversial “Tank Day” promotion held by Starbucks Korea on May 18, the anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising.
In a statement, Chung said he “deeply wounded the spirits of those who sacrificed for the May 18 Democratic Uprising, their bereaved families and the people of Korea.” He described the promotion as “an inappropriate marketing campaign that should never have happened” and pledged to overhaul procedures and provide mandatory historical education.
Starbucks Korea launched the tumbler promotion using phrases such as “Tank Day” and “Put it on the table with a sound of ‘Tak!’” Critics said the wording mocked the 1980 Gwangju uprising and the 1987 torture death of student activist Park Jong-chul. The company suspended the event and apologized, and the head of the operating firm was dismissed hours later.
