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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Major international media outlets have widely covered the controversy surrounding Starbucks Korea over its “Tank Day” promotion, which drew backlash for appearing to mock South Korea’s May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement.
According to Reuters, Shinsegae Group, which operates Starbucks Korea, dismissed CEO Son Jeong-hyun over what it described as “inappropriate marketing.” The report noted that the campaign evoked painful memories of the military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in 1980, sparking public outrage.
Reuters also highlighted the use of the phrase “bang on the desk,” saying it recalled the controversial police explanation of the 1987 death of student activist Park Jong-chul, which became a symbol of state violence during the authoritarian era.
AFP detailed the historical context of the May 18 movement, noting that student-led protests against military dictatorship were violently suppressed over a 10-day period, resulting in significant casualties. The report cited official figures of 165 deaths, 65 missing persons, and 376 injuries, while suggesting the true toll may be higher.
The outlet added that the term “Tank Day” itself evoked images of military vehicles deployed during the crackdown, amplifying criticism.
Meanwhile, The Guardian focused on Chung Yong-jin, pointing to his past controversies, including the use of politically charged social media messages and participation in conservative events. The report suggested that such factors may have influenced public perceptions of the incident.
The incident has escalated beyond a domestic issue, drawing international scrutiny over corporate sensitivity to historical and political contexts in marketing campaigns.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
