Starbucks Korea ‘Tank Day’ Backlash Draws Police Scrutiny, Exposes Governance and Brand-Safety Gaps
South Korean police questioned a Shinsegae executive amid an investigation into Starbucks Korea’s ‘Tank Day’ promotion, which coincided with the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju uprising and triggered public outrage. The incident has driven protests, reported early sales declines, and accelerated corporate remediation measures including executive accountability and mandatory history training.