Police Conduct Raid on Starbucks HQ in South Korea Amid Controversy
WHO:
NY Post - South Korean police conducted the raid.
ABC News Business - Starbucks’ local operation in South Korea is involved in the investigation.
WHAT:
AP News - The marketing campaign included a promotion for stainless-steel tumblers called “SS Tank” and declared May 18 to be “Tank Day.”
AP News - The campaign's slogan “Thwack it on the table!” referenced a police statement from 1987 regarding the death of student activist Park Jong-chol.
AP News - Starbucks Korea closed all of its stores nationwide early on June 22 for mandatory history and social sensitivity training.
NY Post - The police raided the headquarters of Starbucks’ local operation.
ABC News Business - The raid is part of an investigation into a marketing campaign.
WHERE:
NY Post - The raid took place at the headquarters of Starbucks in South Korea.
WHY:
AP News - The police investigation was initiated following complaints from relatives of victims of the Gwangju crackdown, which official records state resulted in about 200 deaths.
NY Post - The marketing campaign was perceived as defaming 1980s' pro-democracy movements.
ABC News Business - The campaign is under scrutiny for its controversial nature.
HOW:
AP News - Investigators also searched the residences of Starbucks executives during the police raid.
NY Post - The police conducted a raid as part of their investigation into the marketing campaign.
(UPDATED August 6, 2026 13:32 UTC)
Starbucks Korea recently launched a marketing campaign promoting stainless-steel tumblers called “SS Tank,” declaring May 18 as “Tank Day,” with the slogan “Thwack it on the table!” referencing a police statement from 1987 related to the death of student activist Park Jong-chol. This campaign comes in the wake of a police investigation initiated after complaints from relatives of victims of the Gwangju crackdown, which official records indicate resulted in around 200 deaths. As part of the investigation, authorities conducted a raid that included searches of the residences of Starbucks executives, and the company closed all its stores nationwide early on June 22 for mandatory history and social sensitivity training.
--
(UPDATED August 6, 2026 11:22 UTC)
South Korean police have raided the headquarters of Starbucks' local operation as part of an investigation into a controversial marketing campaign. This campaign is under scrutiny for being perceived as defaming pro-democracy movements from the 1980s. The raid highlights the serious concerns surrounding the campaign's messaging and its potential impact on public sentiment.