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  5. Starbucks Korea CEO dismissed following ad evoking protest crackdown

Starbucks Korea CEO dismissed following ad evoking protest crackdown

Updated on
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Starbucks Korea launched a "Tank Day" campaign on May 18, the day that commemorates the 1980 Gwangju democracy movement. The marketing campaign, which evoked memories of the brutal suppression of that uprising, sparked widespread public outrage. In response, the company fired its CEO, Sohn Jeong‑hyun, within hours of the campaign’s launch.

  1. KR
    Shinsegae Group
    1. He considered this issue very serious and took the extreme measure of dismissing the CEO.
  2. KR
    SCK Company
    1. We sincerely apologize to the people of Gwangju, to those impacted by this tragedy, and to our customers and communities.
    2. While unintentional, this should never have happened. We recognise the deep pain and offence this has caused, particularly to those who honour the victims, their families, and all who contributed to Korea's democratisation.
  3. US
    Starbucks
    1. We are implementing stronger internal controls, review standards, and company-wide training to ensure this does not happen again.
    2. Leadership accountability actions have been taken, and a thorough investigation is underway.
  4. KR
    Chung Yong-Jin
    Shinsegae Group
    1. I take it very seriously the fact that many people felt deep pain and anger because of Starbucks Korea's inappropriate marketing campaign.
    2. I deeply bow in apology as the representative of the group.
  5. KR
    Gwangju-Jeonnam Memorial Coalition
    1. We strongly suspect this is the result of management's biased historical consciousness … being cunningly expressed through the mask of marketing.

sources

  1. 1.Le Monde
  2. 2.The New York Times
  3. 3.The Times of India
  4. 4.CNN
  5. 5.The Guardian
  6. 6.Hindustan Times
  7. 7.Reuters
  8. 8.Yonhap News Agency

perspectives

  1. 1.Scandal
  2. 2.North-South Korea Conflict
  3. 3.Food industry
  4. 4.Retail

countries

  1. 1.Korea, Republic ofKR
  2. 2.Korea, Democratic People's Republic ofKP

organizations

  1. 1.Starbucks
  2. 2.Shinsegae Group
  3. 3.Emart
  4. 4.Democratization Movement
  5. 5.Build Up Korea
  6. 6.Gwangju-Jeonnam Memorial Coalition
  7. 7.Mart Industry Labour Union
  8. 8.SCK Company
  9. 9.Turning Point USA

persons

  1. 1.Chun Doo-Hwan
  2. 2.Chung Yong-JinKR
  3. 3.Lee Jae-MyungKR
  4. 4.Park Jong
  5. 5.Son Jung-Hyun
  6. 6.Jeon Sangjin
  7. 7.Yoon Hee Keun

technicals

  1. 1.1980 Gwangju Uprising
Starbucks Korea CEO dismissed following ad evoking protest crackdown