Police are speeding up their investigation into Shinsegae Group chairman Chung Yong-jin, who was accused by a civic group over Starbucks' "Tank Day" promotion.
On the 22nd, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit said it summoned Kim Sun-hwan, secretary-general of the Committee for People's Livelihood Measures (Seominwi), to the Mapo office in the afternoon to question him about the circumstances of the accusation.
The case was initially assigned to the Gangnam Police Station, with the complainant's questioning reportedly set for the 29th, but the Seoul agency called in Secretary-General Kim a day after reassigning the case.
Earlier, on the 20th, Secretary-General Kim filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against Chairman Chung and former Starbucks Korea CEO Son Jung-hyun on charges of insult and defamation. This was because Starbucks used phrases such as "Tank Day" and "Clack on the desk!" while selling the "Tank Tumbler Series" on the day marking the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Democratization Movement.
Regarding this, Seominwi said, "It constitutes insult and defamation against the May 18 Democratization Movement, the bereaved families, and Gwangju citizens," and added, "(Chairman Chung) issued a belated apology, but cannot avoid responsibility for insufficient oversight of employees."
Secretary-General Kim plans to hold a press conference in front of the Mapo office after the police questioning.