As controversy over Starbucks Korea's "Tank Day" event continues, on-site employees are saying they are bearing the full brunt of a headquarters plan and have begun voicing grievances. On an online community, a poster claiming to be a store manager criticized the headquarters' response, saying "going to work is terrifying," further fueling the controversy.
On the 21st, a post by a writer identified as A, who said they are a Starbucks store manager, was shared on social media and online communities, drawing attention. A said they wanted to "share the position of partners working on site," asserting that store employees have been under severe pressure since the controversy.
A said, "After this marketing fiasco broke out, on-site partners at the stores have been shedding tears of blood," and wrote, "On-site employees are taking on the full impact of the controversy planned by headquarters." A went on to say the atmosphere on the ground is that "going to work is terrifying and even standing in front of the POS feels like hell."
A also said that direct criticism has continued during customer interactions. A appealed that they are receiving complaints on site such as "What were you thinking doing this event?" and "Aren't you the same as them?" and said, "Stores are becoming the target for venting anger over the headquarters' blunder."
Complaints also continued about the way headquarters handled the aftermath. A said, "Since this incident, measures such as reducing on-site staff and limiting overtime have followed," and pointed out, "Isn't this an attempt to make up for sales lost due to the headquarters' incompetence by cutting the labor costs of employees suffering on the front line?"
A also raised issues with the posting of an apology notice. A demanded, "The moment an apology notice is posted, store partners become direct targets of customer criticism," and said, "Headquarters needs to step to the fore to explain responsibility and serve as a shield." Regarding the possibility of cuts to bonuses and benefits, A emphasized, "Management should bear responsibility."
Online commenters expressed sympathy with reactions such as "On-site employees did nothing wrong" and "We hope partners do not suffer harm for a mistake made by headquarters."
Earlier, Starbucks Korea was embroiled in controversy after holding a "Tank Day" event on the 46th anniversary of the May 18 pro-democracy uprising on the 18th. Critics said the term "tank" evokes the armored vehicles of martial law forces deployed to Gwangju during the May 18 pro-democracy uprising. The ad line "Tak! on the desk" was also criticized for recalling the announcement by the National Police Headquarters in the 1987 Park Jong-chul torture death case.
As the controversy grew, Shinsegae Group Chair Chung Yong-jin dismissed Starbucks Korea CEO Son Jung-hyun and issued an apology, but backlash from civil society and groups of victims continues.
The Federation of 5th Republic Victims' Organizations and the Pan-National Solidarity for Victims of State Violence held a press conference in front of the Starbucks Gwanghwamun store in Jongno-gu, Seoul, that day, urging Chair Chung's resignation.
Kim Hak-gyu, a director of the Park Jong-chul Memorial Foundation, said, "Starbucks is explaining this situation as if it were an accidental mistake by a young working-level staffer," and added, "Fundamental responsibility lies with management." Kim Yong-man, a director of the May 18 Democratic Uprising Seoul Memorial Committee, also called for Chair Chung to step down from the front line of management, saying, "A sincere apology and responsible action are needed."