Starbucks Korea sacks CEO after Tank Day promo tied to Gwangju crackdown
Starbucks Korea fired its CEO after a tank-themed tumbler promo timed to Democratisation Movement Day drew backlash for echoing the 1980s crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. The campaign was withdrawn, leaders apologized, and Starbucks Global said a thorough internal investigation and stronger controls would follow; Shinsegae Group also apologized as the stock moved lower, underscoring questions about marketing sensitivity and corporate accountability.
