(CNA, Seoul, May 21) Starbucks Korea has caused a major uproar for promoting a series of tumblers known as "tanks" on the anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising. Chung Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group which operates Starbucks Korea, has also been reported by a civic group and will be investigated by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Metropolitan Investigation Division. During the 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement, students and civilians rose up against military rule, but the army violently suppressed the movement within 10 days, causing numerous casualties. On the 18th, the anniversary, Starbucks Korea used the term "Tank Day" to promote a line of cups called "Tank tumblers," which reminded people of the military vehicles deployed to crush the uprising at the time. This sparked widespread condemnation, and the head of Starbucks Korea, Son Jeong-hyeon, was also dismissed. According to a Yonhap News report today, the civic group "Committee for the Livelihood of the Common People" also filed a complaint regarding the incident. The group argues that Starbucks selling the "Tank tumbler series" and using marketing phrases like "Tank Day" on the 46th anniversary of the 5.18 Gwangju Democratization Movement is an insult and defamation to the bereaved families of the movement and the citizens of Gwangju. Chung Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group, the largest shareholder of Starbucks Korea, was also reported for lack of management and supervision. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has reassigned the case, originally allocated to the Gangnam Police Station, to the Public Crime Investigation Team of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Metropolitan Investigation Division. This division is considered comparable to the prosecution's "special investigation department." The report notes that with the case now under direct investigation by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, the investigation is expected to proceed more quickly.

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  • Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
  • Category: 事件