Starbucks 'Tank Day' Promotion Sparks Outrage Over Alleged Mocking of 5·18 Victims; Chung Yong-jin Resignation Demanded

Groups representing victims of state violence held a press conference demanding the resignation of Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin, alleging that Starbucks Korea's "Tank Day" event slogans mocked victims. Starbucks Korea has drawn controversy for using phrases like "Tank Day" and "Desk Slap" in its tumbler promotion event.

Claims have emerged that the "Tank Day" promotion slogan refers to the deployment of tanks by the military during the May 18th Democratization Movement under martial law, and the "Desk Slap" slogan is reminiscent of the 1987 torture and death of activist Park Jong-cheol. Furthermore, it was argued that Starbucks Korea's tumbler capacities of 503ml and 103ml were intentionally chosen based on the numbers of suppression units.

Organizations including the National Federation of Victims of State Violence and the Federation of Victims of the Fifth Republic held a press conference on May 21st at the Starbucks Gwanghwamun branch in Seoul, demanding the resignation of Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin and an official apology. The groups stated, "The 'May 18 Tank Day' event insults the victims and the struggles of citizens on the historic anniversary of the Gwangju May 18 Democratization Movement," and pointed out that Starbucks must bear corresponding moral, administrative, legal, and political responsibility.