As controversy over Starbucks Korea's "Tank Day" event continues, on-site employees are saying they are bearing the full brunt of headquarters' planning and have begun voicing their grievances. On an online community, a poster claiming to be a store manager criticized the company's response, saying "going to work is terrifying," further fueling the controversy.
On the 21st, a post by a writer identifying as a Starbucks store manager, referred to as A, spread on social media and online communities, drawing attention. A said, "I want to share the position of partners working on site," claiming that since the controversy, store employees have been under extreme pressure.
A said, "After this marketing disaster erupted, on-site partners have been shedding tears of blood," and wrote, "On-site employees are bearing the fallout from the controversy planned by headquarters as is." A added, "Going to work is terrifying, and even standing in front of the POS feels like hell," conveying the on-site atmosphere.
A also said that direct criticism is continuing during customer service. A said they are receiving complaints on site such as, "What were you thinking doing this event?" and "Aren't you the same as them?" and appealed that "stores are becoming the target of venting for headquarters' blunder."
Complaints also continued over how headquarters handled the aftermath. A said, "Since this incident, measures such as on-site staffing cuts and restrictions on overtime have followed," pointing out, "Isn't this an attempt to make up for sales lost due to headquarters' incompetence by cutting the labor costs of employees suffering on the front lines?"
A also raised issues with the measure to post a written apology. A demanded, "The moment an apology is posted, store partners become direct targets of customer criticism," and "Headquarters should step to the front, explain responsibility, and act as a shield." A also emphasized regarding the potential reduction of bonuses and benefits that "management should bear responsibility."
Internet users showed sympathy with reactions such as "On-site employees did nothing wrong" and "As much as headquarters caused the problem, I hope the partners do not suffer damage."
Earlier, on the 18th, the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, Starbucks Korea held a "Tank Day" event and was engulfed in controversy. Critics said the term "tank" evokes the armored vehicles of martial law forces deployed to Gwangju during the May 18 Democratic Uprising. The ad phrase "Tak! on the desk" was also criticized for recalling the announcement by the National Police Headquarters in the 1987 Pak Chong-chol torture-death case.
As the controversy grew, Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin dismissed Starbucks Korea CEO Son Jeong-hyeon and issued an apology, but backlash from civil society and victims' groups continues.
The Federation of 5th Republic Victims' Groups and the National Alliance for Victims of State Violence held a press conference that day in front of the Starbucks Gwanghwamun store in Jongno-gu, Seoul, calling for Chung's resignation.
Kim Hak-gyu, a board member of the Pak Chong-chol 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 board member of the May 18 Democratic Uprising Seoul Memorial Committee, also said, "A sincere apology and responsible measures are needed," calling for Chung to step down from front-line management.