Starbucks Korea closes for training after Tank Day scandal

Starbucks Korea will close all its outlets nationwide for three hours on June 24 to conduct historical awareness training for staff, following a public backlash over a promotional campaign that referenced the 1980 Gwangju Uprising—a deadly military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. The decision, announced on June 16 and reported by the BBC, comes after the marketing blunder led to a $6.5 million drop in sales due to consumer boycotts. The incident underscores the reputational and financial risks foreign brands face when misjudging South Korea's sensitive historical memory.