Starbucks Korea shutters all stores for mandatory history lesson after promo backlash
Starbucks Korea will close more than 2,000 stores for a half-day history lesson and social-sensitivity training at 3pm on June 22 after a misfired Tank Day promotion tied to the 1980 Gwangju massacre sparked protests, boycotts and government backlash. The move, intended to repair brand damage, will cost about 2.1 billion won in lost sales, and CEO and Shinsegae Group chair Chung Yong-jin will also take the training; police are investigating, and airport outlets will remain open.