As Starbucks Korea became embroiled in controversy over its "Tank Day" promotion on the 18th, Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin and former Starbucks Korea CEO Son Jeong-hyeon were reported to police.
On the 20th, the People's Livelihood Countermeasure Committee (Seominwi), a civic group, said it filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency that morning accusing Chung and Son of insult and defamation.
The reason, it said, was that Starbucks used phrases such as "Tank Day" and "Bang on the desk!" while selling the "Tank Tumbler Series" on the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Democratization Movement.
On this, Seominwi noted, "These are highly inappropriate expressions that evoke the deployment of martial law tanks during the May 18 Democratization Movement and the torture and death of Park Jong-cheol," adding, "They constitute insult and defamation against the May 18 Democratization Movement, the bereaved families, and Gwangju citizens."
It went on, "(Chung) issued a post-fact apology, but cannot avoid responsibility for lax supervision and management of employees," and argued, "There must be a swift and thorough investigation and stern punishment."
Earlier, Starbucks Korea deleted the related content and apologized after criticism that the event copy and certain product names evoked historical events, and Chung dismissed Son and the executive in charge.
In an official statement, he said it was "inappropriate marketing that should never have happened or been tolerated," adding, "On behalf of the group, I bow my head in apology."
Starbucks global headquarters also issued an apology on the 19th (local time), saying, "We will strengthen internal controls, standards review, and companywide training to ensure such a situation never happens again."