Starbucks Korea to shut stores for history training after ‘Tank Day’ furore

Article excerpt

Starbucks Korea announced it will close stores nationwide to conduct historical awareness training for employees, following backlash over an ad campaign that customers said evoked the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, a military crackdown that killed hundreds of pro-democracy protesters. The company's "Tank Day" promotion, which featured armored imagery, triggered public outcry on social media and calls for boycotts. The closure and mandatory training represent a significant corporate apology in South Korea, where memories of the authoritarian-era massacre remain deeply sensitive. Starbucks apologized for the "inappropriate" campaign and said the training would ensure employees understand the historical context of such sensitive dates.