Starbucks Korea CEO fired over promotion that evoked military crackdown
Starbucks Korea CEO Son Jung-hyun has been fired following a controversial marketing campaign that referenced a violent military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. The campaign, which coincided with the anniversary of the Gwangju uprising, sparked outrage among South Koreans and drew criticism from the country's president. In response to the backlash, the Shinsegae Group, which operates Starbucks in South Korea, stated that the dismissal was intended to prevent similar incidents in the future.
- ▪Son Jung-hyun was dismissed after a marketing campaign provoked outrage for referencing the Gwangju uprising.
- ▪The campaign used the terms 'Tank Day' and '5/18', which are associated with the military's violent suppression of protests in 1980.
- ▪South Korean President Lee Jae-myung condemned the campaign, calling it an insult to the struggle for democracy.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Economy|Business and EconomyStarbucks Korea CEO fired over promotion that evoked military crackdown‘Tank Day’ marketing campaign provoked backlash for eliciting bloody suppression of 1980 Gwangju uprising.ListenListen (3 mins)SaveClick here to share on social mediashare-nodesSharefacebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoA Starbucks coffee shop in Seoul, South Korea, on May 19, 2026 [Pedro Pardo/AFP]By John PowerPublished On 19 May 202619 May 2026The head of Starbucks Korea has been dismissed after a marketing campaign that evoked a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters provoked outrage, including from South Korea’s president.CEO Son Jung-hyun was fired to hold him accountable for the “inappropriate” promotional campaign launched on the anniversary of the…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Al Jazeera English.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Al Jazeera English
