Organizations related to the May 18 Democratic Uprising filed a police complaint against Chung Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group, and others over the controversy surrounding Starbucks Korea's "Tank Day" marketing.
The May 18 Memorial Foundation and three statutory organizations visited Gwangju Seobu Police Station on the 28th and submitted a complaint against Chairman Chung and officials at Starbucks Korea. They asked for an investigation on charges including defamation, insult, and violations of the Special Act on the May 18 Democratic Uprising.
The controversy erupted when Starbucks Korea held a "Tank Day" event on the 18th and used the phrase "Tak! on the desk, Tank Day." Critics said the expression evokes the deployment of martial law forces' tanks during the May 18 period and the investigative authorities' 1987 announcement in the Park Jong-chul torture-death case that "he died with an 'ugh' when we slapped the desk."
At a news conference on the 26th, Chairman Chung said, "I deeply apologize to the bereaved families of May 18, the citizens of Gwangju, and the public," and "I fully acknowledge responsibility for treating historical pain and the value of democracy lightly."
However, May 18 organizations said, "This marketing damages the meaning of the May 18 victims and the pro-democracy movement and mocks the public," adding, "We will continue to respond until substantive punishment is carried out."