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Korean reunification by 2045

Starbucks Korea CEO Sohn Jeong-hyun was fired by Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin on May 18 after the company launched a "Tank Day" tumbler promotion on the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, drawing widespread public criticism.

Starbucks Korea CEO Sohn Jeong-hyun was fired by Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin on May 18 after the company launched a "Tank Day" tumbler promotion on the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, drawing widespread public criticism.

The promotion used the phrases "Tank Day" and "Tak! on the desk," which critics linked to military tanks used against protesters in Gwangju in 1980 and to a disputed 1987 police account of student activist Park Jong-chul's death by torture.

The promotion used the phrases "Tank Day" and "Tak! on the desk," which critics linked to military tanks used against protesters in Gwangju in 1980 and to a disputed 1987 police account of student activist Park Jong-chul's death by torture.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung publicly condemned the campaign on social media platform X, demanding an apology to bereaved families and calling the promotion an insult to "the bloody struggle" of Gwangju's victims and citizens.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung publicly condemned the campaign on social media platform X, demanding an apology to bereaved families and calling the promotion an insult to "the bloody struggle" of Gwangju's victims and citizens.

Starbucks Korea withdrew the promotion within hours of its launch and issued an apology, while Shinsegae Group's Chung also publicly apologized, saying the campaign "deeply hurt the public, the bereaved families and the victims of the May 18 demonstration."

Starbucks Korea withdrew the promotion within hours of its launch and issued an apology, while Shinsegae Group's Chung also publicly apologized, saying the campaign "deeply hurt the public, the bereaved families and the victims of the May 18 demonstration."

Starbucks' Seattle headquarters issued a statement calling the incident "unacceptable" and said it was implementing stronger internal controls and company-wide training. Shares of Emart, which holds a 67.5% stake in Starbucks Korea, fell around 6% amid the controversy.

Starbucks' Seattle headquarters issued a statement calling the incident "unacceptable" and said it was implementing stronger internal controls and company-wide training. Shares of Emart, which holds a 67.5% stake in Starbucks Korea, fell around 6% amid the controversy.

A civic group representing Gwangju uprising victims accused Starbucks Korea of "damaging the spirit of the democracy movement," while Shinsegae Group Vice President Kim Soo-wan traveled to Gwangju to apologize in person but was turned away by memorial organizations.

A civic group representing Gwangju uprising victims accused Starbucks Korea of "damaging the spirit of the democracy movement," while Shinsegae Group Vice President Kim Soo-wan traveled to Gwangju to apologize in person but was turned away by memorial organizations.

Starbucks Korea CEO Fired Over Gwangju Promo Backlash

Starbucks Korea CEO Fired Over Gwangju Promo Backlash

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Starbucks Korea CEO Fired Over Gwangju Promo Backlash

Starbucks Korea CEO Fired Over Gwangju Promo Backlash

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