Police investigating Starbucks Korea's "May 18 tank day" marketing controversy are analyzing the company's internal audit findings.
Park Jeong-bo, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner, said at a regular press briefing on the 15th that they were "conducting a strict investigation in accordance with procedures," and stated accordingly. Park said, "We are also questioning Starbucks officials."
Earlier, Shinsegae Group and Starbucks Korea conducted an internal audit for a week starting the day after the marketing controversy erupted, targeting members of the commerce team and those in the approval chain.
Shinsegae Group and Starbucks Korea said the audit found no evidence to prove intent. However, they noted there were limits to the inquiry, including the responsible employees refusing to submit their mobile phones.
Police also said they did not seek an additional warrant for Bang Si-hyuk, the chair of HYBE, after prosecutors twice rejected their requests for an arrest warrant. Park, the Commissioner, said, "We will make a final disposition after completing the supplementary investigation."
Bang is accused of providing information in 2019, before HYBE's listing, indicating there were no plans to go public to existing investors and venture capital firms (VCs), and then inducing them to transfer equity to a private equity fund (PEF) set up by an acquaintance.
Police are currently investigating a case in which a jewelry shop owner in Jongno-gu, Seoul, fled with customers' entrusted gold and rotating savings funds. More than 110 complaints have been filed, and they are being consolidated for investigation, Park, the Commissioner, said.
Park, the Commissioner, said, "It does not appear the suspect has fled," adding, "We are proceeding with complainant interviews, and the suspect has also retained a lawyer and is responding."