STARBUCKS KOREA RAIDED BY POLICE AFTER ‘TANK DAY’ CAMPAIGN SPARKS PUBLIC OUTRAGE

South Korean police raided the headquarters of Starbucks Korea on Tuesday, searching the building and the homes of company executives as part of an investigation into a marketing campaign tied to the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju massacre. The raid follows public backlash over a promotional “Tank Day” campaign that critics say trivialises the country’s pro‑democracy movement.

According to World news | The Guardian, investigators conducted the searches in southern Seoul and have not released further details. The campaign was linked to an anniversary of a pivotal event in South Korea’s history, sparking outrage from citizens and civil‑society groups. Police statements confirmed the raid, but no official statement from Starbucks Korea or the police force has yet been issued.

The Gwangju massacre remains a sensitive topic in South Korea, and any perceived disrespect can trigger strong public and political responses. Starbucks’ decision to market a product in connection with this anniversary has led to calls for accountability and broader discussions about corporate sensitivity to historical events.

• Police raided Starbucks Korea headquarters and executives’ homes over a controversial ‘Tank Day’ marketing campaign.
• The campaign is linked to the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju massacre, a key event in South Korea’s pro‑democracy history.
• Investigation details remain limited, with no statements released by Starbucks or police beyond the raid confirmation.

Read the original source for full detail available at World news | The Guardian src