GermanySouth Korean police raided Starbucks Korea's headquarters as part of an investigation into a controversial promotional campaign linked to the 1980 Gwangju Uprising. The campaign featured 'tank tumblers' and references to 'Tank Day,' which drew comparisons to the military crackdown during the uprising, where at least 165 civilians were killed. The promotion also appeared to reference government denials of torturing a student protest leader to death. This sparked widespread protests and boycotts in South Korea, the company's third-largest market. President Lee Jae Myung condemned the incident, and both Shinsegae Group chairman Chung Yong-jin and Starbucks Korea CEO Son Jung-hyun resigned after issuing a public apology. Starbucks conducted its own internal investigation but could not compel those involved to provide their phones, while police continue to seek evidence that executives intentionally trivialized the historical event.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the controversy objectively, detailing the promotional campaign, the public reaction, and the subsequent resignations without overtly favoring any side. It includes statements from multiple parties, including the police, Starbucks, and the president, providing balanced coverage.
