{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1805386,
        "msgid": "starbucks-korea-to-close-all-stores-for-staff-history-training-after-promotion-backlash-1781567436",
        "date": "2026-06-16 06:23:00",
        "title": "Starbucks Korea to Close All Stores for Staff History Training After Promotion Backlash",
        "author": "Thalatie Kaprina Yani",
        "source": "MEDIA_INDONESIA",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Business",
        "summary": "Starbucks Korea will temporarily close all its outlets nationwide for the first time since 1999 to conduct mandatory historical awareness training for staff. The decision follows severe public outrage over a 'Tank Day' tumbler promotion that coincided with the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, a pro-democracy movement violently suppressed by the military. The scandal prompted the licence holder, Shinsegae Group, to dismiss the CEO and drew condemnation from South Korea's president.",
        "content": "<p>Starbucks in South Korea will close all its stores for half a day\nnext week so that all staff can attend history classes, following public\nanger over a promotional campaign deemed to evoke painful memories of\nmilitary violence against pro-democracy demonstrators. The coffee chain\ndrew widespread criticism after launching an eco-friendly cup promotion\ntitled \u2018Tank Day\u2019. Ironically, the promotion was released on the\nanniversary of the Gwangju Uprising, a historic tragedy in which at\nleast 165 civilians were killed by the military. Shinsegae Group, which\nholds the operating licence for Starbucks in South Korea, immediately\ndismissed the CEO of Starbucks Korea on the day the scandal erupted. The\ncompany announced that Chairman Chung Yong-jin will also participate in\nthe training. All stores in the country will close on Wednesday next\nweek from 15:00 local time for three hours to facilitate staff training,\nand will only resume operations the following day. Additionally, on\nMonday, all Starbucks Korea employees will receive historical awareness\neducation through video screenings. This marks the first nationwide\nearly closure for Starbucks Korea since it first opened a store in 1999.\nManagement explained that the name \u2018Tank Day\u2019 actually referred to the\n\u2018Tank Series\u2019 tumbler product line, which is promoted as having a large\nvolume capacity. Starbucks Korea has also issued a formal apology. \u2018We\napologise for causing discomfort and concern to our customers due to\nthis issue,\u2019 the company stated. The scandal prompted a strong reaction\nfrom South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who vented his frustration on\nsocial media as boycotts and protests spread outside Starbucks stores\nlast month. \u2018This is an inhumane and shameful act,\u2019 President Lee wrote.\nBeyond the \u2018Tank\u2019 name, the tumbler\u2019s promotional material also sparked\ncontroversy for using the phrase \u2018tak on the table!\u2019 in Korean. The word\n\u2018tak\u2019 mimics the sound of an object being slammed on a table, reminding\nthe public of a controversial police statement from 1987 regarding the\ndeath of a student activist in custody. Shinsegae Group revealed that\nthe slogan was chosen by the marketing team using an artificial\nintelligence tool. The 1980 Gwangju Uprising is a significant milestone\nthat set South Korea on the path to democracy and ultimately led to the\nfall of dictator Chun Doo-hwan in 1987.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/starbucks-korea-to-close-all-stores-for-staff-history-training-after-promotion-backlash-1781567436",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}