As controversy over Starbucks' "mocking the democratization movement" has emerged as a key issue in the June 3 local elections, the People Power Party has labeled the pro-ruling bloc's boycott movement a "people's court" and is focusing the party's energy on it. The party is proposing "go to the polls holding Sbux coffee," posting "Sbux proof shots," and encouraging purchases. Critics say the ruling camp is exploiting the Sbux affair to rally its base. The Democratic Party of Korea hit back, calling it an "Ilbe party declaration," intensifying the clash.
At the Central Election Committee meeting on the 25th, People Power Party standing election committee chair Jang Dong-hyeok said, "They are trying to deflect public anger over the special prosecutor to cancel Lee Jae-myung's trial onto Starbucks," adding, "The target of the death-to-the-enemy song in this election is Starbucks. Is it the death-to-the-enemy song or Starbucks? I ask the people to judge."
Jang said, "This Friday (early voting day), please clearly show the will of free citizens that 'I choose my own coffee,'" adding, "This election is a contest between 'Lee Jae-myung's gaeddal' and free citizens." He also said, "I'll make one prediction. The Starbucks boycott will last only until June 3," adding, "Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party, and the gaeddal will walk around with Sbux coffee as if nothing happened once that day passes."
The day before, criticizing President Lee Jae-myung for taking a jab at the "Sbux April 16 siren event," Jang also said, "On April 16, are we not even allowed to use 'Siren Order'? They've gone into a frenzy, seizing on this one incident to incite the gaeddal and try to flip the board." Earlier, President Lee had called it "a beastly act" that Starbucks Korea once held a "siren (a monster from myth that wrecks ships) event" on the Sewol ferry disaster memorial day.
Kim Gi-hyeon, who previously served as People Power Party leader and is now Ulsan general election committee chair, on the same day posted a photo on Facebook of himself drinking coffee at a Starbucks store and wrote, "I want to live in a country where the state does not decide the coffee I drink, but where I have the freedom to choose." Lee Su-jeong, the Suwon-jeong district party chair from the same party, also said at a campaign rally on the 22nd supporting Suwon mayoral candidate Ahn Gyo-jae, "Let's take and post Starbucks proof photos."
The Democratic Party said this was "in effect a declaration of being an Ilbe party." Spokesperson Kim Hyun-jung said, "It was a controversy over historical insult that touched the wounds of democracy, which angered citizens, and Starbucks apologized," adding, "The remark 'I choose my own coffee' (remark by Jang Dong-hyeok) is no different from an 'Ilbe party declaration.'" Kim added, "How is politics that makes light of May 18, mocks citizens' anger, and wraps historical insult in the guise of freedom any different from Ilbe-style taunting?"