Starbucks Korea has dismissed its CEO following backlash over a promotional campaign launched on the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising crackdown, the BBC reported.
The campaign, called «Tank Day,» promoted tumblers from the company’s Tank Series and was widely criticized for appearing to reference the military vehicles used during the suppression of pro-democracy protests in Gwangju.
As a result, the promotion was suspended within hours after online calls for a boycott of Starbucks Korea and its parent company, Shinsegae. Even President Lee Jae Myung condemned the campaign on social media, saying it disrespected the victims and the historical significance of the uprising.
Starbucks Korea apologized for the incident, calling it an «inappropriate marketing campaign» and pledging to improve its internal review procedures. Shinsegae Chairman Chung Yong-jin described the campaign as «an inexcusable mistake» and announced an investigation into the approval process.
The Gwangju Uprising remains one of South Korea’s most sensitive historical events, with hundreds of protesters killed during the military crackdown. It is widely regarded as a key moment in the country’s path toward democracy.
