Starbucks Korea faced a significant backlash after launching a marketing campaign promoting 'Tank Day' on May 18, the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, when military forces violently suppressed pro-democracy protests. The promotion, intended to highlight a new range of coffee tumblers, was met with accusations of insensitivity due to its timing and wording. Customers reacted by destroying Starbucks merchandise, deleting loyalty apps, and demanding refunds, leading to a sharp decline in card spending at stores. In response to the uproar, Starbucks Korea's CEO, Son Jeong-hyun, was dismissed, and billionaire Chung Yong-jin, chairman of the company operating Starbucks in Korea, issued multiple apologies, including a televised one where he bowed three times, a gesture of respect in South Korean culture. The incident escalated to the government level, with ministries suspending partnerships with the chain and calls for further accountability. Starbucks Corporation acknowledged the incident as unacceptable and pledged to review internal standards to prevent similar occurrences in the future.