--- title: "Police raid Starbucks Korea headquarters over 1980 Gwangju uprising promotion" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/business/police-raid-starbucks-korea-headquarters-over-1980-gwangju-uprising-promotion" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/police-raid-starbucks-korea-headquarters-over-1980-gwangju-uprising-promotion" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/business/police-raid-starbucks-korea-headquarters-over-1980-gwangju-uprising-promotion.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/police-raid-starbucks-korea-headquarters-over-1980-gwangju-uprising-promotion" category: "Business & Economy" area: "Asia-Pacific" published: "2026-08-05T05:25:42.146Z" source_reported: "2026-08-05T04:56:35.000Z" updated: "2026-08-06T11:30:55.155Z" trust_score: 68 critic_score: 85 hype_score: 18 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-07T06:28:51.302Z" --- # Police raid Starbucks Korea headquarters over 1980 Gwangju uprising promotion *Seoul authorities investigate whether a May discount campaign insulted victims of the military crackdown* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 68 of 100, higher is better. Trust 68: includes named Chairman Chung Yong‑jin, police agency, and two independent reports; no anonymous sources. - Craft 85 of 100, higher is better. Critic 85: explains significance, provides specific names/dates, outlines next steps, and maintains clear factual separation. - Hype 18 of 100, lower is better. Hype 18: language is measured; no clickbait or exaggerated claims. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Police searched Starbucks Korea’s headquarters on 5 August 2026 over a May promotion that critics said insulted victims of the 1980 Gwangju uprising. - The ‘Tank Day’ campaign offered discounts on tumblers with the word ‘Tank’ and the sound ‘Tak’, which protesters said evoked the military’s crackdown and a 1987 police torture death. - A civic group filed a complaint naming Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin, whose affiliate E-Mart controls Starbucks Korea. - The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Public Crime Investigation Division is investigating whether the campaign was intended to insult the pro-democracy movement. Police raided the headquarters of Starbucks Korea in Seoul on 5 August 2026. The search and seizure operation was part of an investigation into a promotional campaign that critics said defamed victims of the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy uprising. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Public Crime Investigation Division conducted the raid, which was the first time police had searched the company’s premises over the allegations. The controversy began in May 2026 when Starbucks Korea launched a ‘Tank Day’ promotion. The campaign offered discounts on tumblers branded with the word ‘Tank’ and the phrase ‘Put it on the table with a sound of “Tak!”’. Critics said the word ‘Tank’ evoked the military’s violent suppression of the Gwangju uprising, while ‘Tak’ reminded some of Park Jong-cheol, a student activist who died under police torture in 1987. The promotion was withdrawn after public backlash, and the head of Starbucks Korea was fired. A civic group filed a complaint in May 2026 alleging that the campaign insulted and defamed victims of the Gwangju uprising and their families. The complaint named Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin, whose affiliate E-Mart holds the controlling stake in Starbucks Korea. Chung later apologised for the campaign. Police said they were investigating whether company officials had intended to insult those involved in the pro-democracy movement. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mentioned that the promotion was withdrawn after public backlash. None of the right-rated digests or the centre-rated report named E-Mart as the affiliate that holds the controlling stake in Starbucks Korea. The centre-rated report did not mention the specific wording of the promotion or the historical context of the Gwangju uprising. ## Who covered it Shares of the 58 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 26% (15) - Centre: 45% (26) - Right: 29% (17) 22 of 80 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-07T06:28:51.302Z. **Coverage watch:** closed. Checked 30 times; 2 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-10T16:15:27.747Z. Watch closed 2026-08-10T16:15:27.747Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - All eleven left-rated outlets reported the police raid on Starbucks Korea’s headquarters over a promotional campaign linked to the 1980 Gwangju uprising. The Korea Times, Associated Press News, abc News, CNN, Stuff, The Toronto Star, The Hamilton Spectator, The Seattle Times, Taipei Times, CartaCapital, and IBTimes Singapore carried the investigation into allegations that the campaign defamed pro-democracy movements. - The Korea Times led on the specifics of the campaign, including the “Tank Day” promotion, the phrase “Put it on the table with a sound of ‘Tak!’”, and the public backlash over associations with the military’s violent suppression. It named Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin, the civic group complaint, and the firing of Starbucks Korea’s head. Taipei Times and IBTimes Singapore also noted the civic group’s role in filing complaints. - CartaCapital and Taipei Times included the death toll of the Gwangju uprising, 165 civilians. The Korea Times alone quoted the police warrant’s reference to “allegations of insult” and the intent to investigate whether company officials planned the campaign to offend. None of the digests mentioned the connection to student activist Park Jong-cheol or the internal inspection shortcomings reported by The Korea Times. ### Centre - The five centre-rated outlets agree that police searched Starbucks Korea’s headquarters in Seoul on 5 August 2026. The raid followed allegations that a May promotion, timed for the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju uprising, insulted victims of the crackdown. All reports name the promotion as “Tank Day” and link it to a new line of tumblers. - Naver’s full report states the search warrant cited charges of insult. It adds that a civic group, the People’s Livelihood Countermeasures Committee, filed the complaint in May. The other four outlets, in digests, do not mention the specific charges or the complainant. - Reuters, France24, The Japan Times and Radio France Internationale digests note that at least 165 civilians died in the 1980 crackdown. Naver’s report does not include the death toll. ### Right - The four right-rated digests led on the police raid and the controversy over the ‘Tank Day’ promotion. Free Malaysia Today and Le Figaro described the campaign as a ‘fiasco’ and an ‘advertising fiasco’, respectively. The Straits Times and Yonhap News Agency’s digest both mentioned the public outrage over the campaign. Free Malaysia Today noted that South Korea is Starbucks’ third-largest market, after the US and China, but did not link this to the controversy. - None of the right-rated digests mentioned the specific wording of the promotion, the historical context of the Gwangju uprising, or the death of Park Jong-cheol. None reported that the head of Starbucks Korea was fired or that Chung Yong-jin apologised. The digests did not name the civic group that filed the complaint or specify the charges under investigation beyond ‘defamation’ or ‘insult’. **Settled coverage blindspot:** left. This finding was made after the coverage watch closed. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 10 - high: 38 - unknown: 24 - veryHigh: 8 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Kyodo News+](https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/81726) — Police raid Starbucks' South Korean HQ over ad campaign that evoked massacre - [Northwest Asian Weekly](https://nwasianweekly.com/2026/08/police-raid-starbucks-south-korean-hq-over-ad-campaign-that-evoked-massacre) — Police raid Starbucks’ South Korean HQ over ad campaign that evoked massacre - [Meduza](https://meduza.io/news/2026/08/06/politsiya-seula-provela-obyski-v-shtab-kvartire-starbucks-kompaniya-nahoditsya-v-tsentre-skandala-iz-za-reklamy-oskorbivshey-zhiteley-yuzhnoy-korei) — Seoul's Police Raided Starbucks Headquarters and the Company Is at the Center of the Scandal because of a Commercial that Insulted South Koreans. - [HuffPost It](https://huffingtonpost.it/esteri/2026/08/06/news/corea_del_sud_vs_starbucks-22495034) — Starbucks Raged Korea with a Disastrous Marketing Strategy - [CTV News](https://ctvnews.ca/business/article/police-raid-starbucks-south-korean-hq-over-ad-campaign-that-evoked-massacre) — Police raid Starbucks' South Korean HQ over ad campaign that evoked massacre - [sameway.com.au](https://sameway.com.au/%e5%8d%97%e9%9f%93%e8%ad%a6%e5%b1%80%e5%9b%a0%e5%bb%a3%e5%91%8a%e5%ae%a3%e5%82%b3%e6%b4%bb%e5%8b%95%e6%90%9c%e6%9f%a5%e5%8d%97%e9%9f%93starbucks-%e7%b8%bd%e9%83%a8) — 南韓警局因廣告宣傳活動搜查南韓Starbucks 總部 - [Origo](https://origo.hu/nagyvilag/2026/08/starbucks-del-korea-botrany-lett-marketingkampanybol) — Police Raided a Starbucks, This Is What's Behind It - [Channel News Asia](https://channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/south-korea-police-raid-starbucks-hq-tank-day-6303176) — South Korea police raid Starbucks HQ over 'Tank Day' fiasco - [Internewscast](https://internewscast.com/news/south-korean-police-raid-starbucks-headquarters-amid-marketing-campaign-controversy) — South Korean Police Raid Starbucks Headquarters Amid Marketing Campaign Controversy - [subjekt.no](https://subjekt.no/2026/08/06/starbucks-kontor-i-sor-korea-ransaket-etter-reklame-knyttet-til-massakre) — Starbucks Office in South Korea Raided for Ads Linked to Massacre - [Stuff](https://stuff.co.nz/business/361016875/police-raid-starbucks-south-korean-hq-over-ad-campaign) — Police raid Starbucks' South Korean HQ over ad campaign that evoked massacre - [Manila Bulletin](https://mb.com.ph/article/10929958/world/police-raid-starbucks-south-korean-hq-over-ad-campaign-that-evoked-massacre) — Police raid Starbucks' South Korean HQ over ad campaign that evoked massacre - [Santa Maria Times](https://santamariatimes.com/ap/business/la-polic-a-surcoreana-allana-sede-local-de-starbucks-por-campa-a-publicitaria-que-evoc/article_b17e75c4-de7c-5e26-b636-7af861d64b32.html) — South Korean Police Raid Local Starbucks Branch over Advertising Campaign that Evoked Massacre - [Rutland Herald](https://rutlandherald.com/news/business/police-raid-starbucks-south-korean-hq-over-ad-campaign-that-evoked-massacre/article_4f02514b-7b8d-5c60-8258-d388d63e1e15.html) — Police raid Starbucks' South Korean HQ over ad campaign that evoked massacre - [Independent Español](https://independentespanol.com/noticias/negocios/la-policia-surcoreana-allana-sede-local-de-starbucks-por-controversial-campana-de-marketing-b3028404.html) — South Korean Police Raid Local Starbucks Headquarters for Controversial Marketing Campaign - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/asia/south-korean-police-raid-local-starbucks-headquarters-over-controversial-marketing-campaign/article_faf707e2-fc1e-583f-a213-8f495eaf4fd0.html) — Police raid Starbucks’ South Korean HQ over ad campaign that evoked massacre - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/business/south-korean-police-raid-local-starbucks-headquarters-over-controversial-marketing-campaign) — South Korean police raid local Starbucks headquarters over controversial marketing campaign - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/korea-starbucks-police-raid-gwangju-c7c718112575208e7ff28d71942c707c) — South Korean police raid local Starbucks headquarters over controversial marketing campaign - [Madison Courier](https://madisoncourier.com/ap/news/south-korean-police-raid-local-starbucks-headquarters-over-controversial-marketing-campaign/article_e0e7dd00-c0bc-5243-9742-c08719580800.html) — South Korean police raid local Starbucks headquarters over controversial marketing campaign - [abc News](https://abcnews.com/Business/wireStory/south-korean-police-raid-local-starbucks-headquarters-controversial-135413483) — South Korean police raid local Starbucks HQ over controversial marketing campaign - [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/business/2026/08/06/south-korean-police-raid-local-starbucks-headquarters-over-controversial-marketing-campaign) — South Korean police raid local Starbucks headquarters over controversial marketing campaign - [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/business/south-korean-police-raid-local-starbucks-headquarters-over-controversial-marketing-campaign/article_407655d2-0365-5f87-9f20-086ef40ec5cc.html) — South Korean police raid local Starbucks headquarters over controversial marketing campaign - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/business/2026/08/06/south-korean-police-raid-local-starbucks-headquarters-over-controversial-marketing-campaign) — South Korean police raid local Starbucks headquarters over controversial marketing campaign - [Breitbart](https://breitbart.com/news/police-raid-starbucks-south-korean-hq-over-ad-campaign-that-evoked-massacre) — Police raid Starbucks' South Korean HQ over ad campaign that evoked massacre - [Bloomberg](https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-05/police-raid-starbucks-korea-headquarters-over-tank-day-event) — Starbucks Korea Headquarters Raided Over Controversial Promotion ... - [The World Reviews](https://theworldreviews.com/starbucks-korea-tank-day-scandal) — Starbucks Korea Tank Day Scandal 2026 HQ! - [ORF.at News](https://orf.at/stories/3438264) — Starbucks South Korea: "Panzereklat" Is Followed by a Raid - [UPI](https://upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/08/05/police-raid-starbucks-tank-day/7431785964679) — South Korean police raid Starbucks Korea over ‘Tank Day’ promotion - [The Manila Times](https://manilatimes.net/2026/08/06/world/asia-oceania/south-korean-police-raid-starbucks-hq-over-tank-day-fiasco/2399006) — South Korean police raid Starbucks HQ over 'Tank Day' fiasco - [Taipei Times](https://taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2026/08/06/2003862041) — S Korea police raid Starbucks HQ over ‘Tank Man’ fiasco - [ddaily.co.kr](https://ddaily.co.kr/page/view/2026080515022948881) — Police Raid Starbucks Headquarters Amid 'Tank Day' Controversy... "Evidence of Inadequate Internal Audit Found" - [IBTimes Singapore](https://ibtimes.sg/starbucks-korea-offices-raided-over-tank-day-campaign-tied-gwangju-uprising-backlash-91562) — Starbucks Korea Offices Raided Over 'Tank Day' Campaign Tied to Gwangju Uprising Backlash - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/south-korea-starbucks-police-raid-tank-day-b3027972.html) — Police raid Starbucks headquarters over disastrous ad campaign - [tpo.nl](https://tpo.nl/2026/08/05/zuid-korea-politie-doorzoekt-hoofdkantoor-starbucks) — South Korean Police Search Starbucks Headquarters - [capitalfm.africa](https://capitalfm.africa/police-raid-starbucks-korea-headquarters-over-tank-day-fiasco) — Police raid Starbucks Korea headquarters over ‘Tank Day’ fiasco - [Folha de S.Paulo](https://redir.folha.com.br/redir/online/emcimadahora/rss091/*https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mercado/2026/08/starbucks-e-investigada-por-anuncio-que-evocou-massacre-na-coreia-do-sul.shtml) — Starbucks Is Investigated by Controversial Announcement in Korea - 05/08/2026 - [Metrópoles](https://metropoles.com/negocios/starbucks-e-investigada-por-difamacao-apos-anuncio-polemico-na-coreia) — Starbucks Is Investigated for Defamation After Controversial Announcement in Korea - [CartaCapital](https://cartacapital.com.br/mundo/starbucks-e-investigada-por-anuncio-que-evocou-massacre-na-coreia-do-sul) — Starbucks Is Being Investigated by an Announcement Calling for Massacre in South Korea - [NU](https://nu.nl/buitenland/6405385/zuid-koreaanse-politie-valt-hoofdkantoor-starbucks-binnen-na-tank-day-actie.html) — South Korean Police Raid Starbucks Headquarters Following Tank Day Action - [Globo](https://oglobo.globo.com/economia/epoca/noticia/2026/08/05/policia-faz-operacao-em-sede-da-starbucks-na-coreia-do-sul-por-campanha-acusada-de-difamar-vitimas-de-protesto-historico-entenda.ghtml) — Police Operate at Starbucks Headquarters in South Korea for Campaign Accused of Defaming Victims of Historical Protest; Understand - [Times of Malta](https://timesofmalta.com/article/south-korea-police-raid-starbucks-headquarters-tank-day-fiasco.1132350) — South Korea police raid Starbucks headquarters over 'Tank Day' fiasco - [IOL Portugal](https://cnnportugal.iol.pt/starbucks/coreia-do-sul/operacao-policial-depois-de-um-anuncio-polemico-o-que-se-passa-com-a-starbucks-na-coreia-do-sul/20260805/6a72f3f0d34ed0733ba7e396) — Police Operation After a Controversial Announcement. What's up with Starbucks in South Korea? - [pmo.ee](https://pmo.ee/8521719) — South Korean Police Raid Starbucks Headquarters - [El Mundo](https://elmundo.es/economia/2026/08/05/6a72f3eae9cf4aaf5b8b458d.html) — South Korean Police Search Starbucks Offices After a Controversial Campaign that Evoked a Massacre - [Capital.fr](https://capital.fr/entreprises-marches/starbucks-cree-le-scandale-en-coree-du-sud-avec-une-pub-la-police-perquisitionne-le-siege-1529037) — Starbucks Creates Scandal in South Korea with a Pub, Police Raid the Siege - [Deutsche Welle](https://dw.com/en/south-korea-police-raid-starbucks-hq-over-tank-day-fiasco/a-78241294) — South Korea: Police raid Starbucks HQ over 'Tank Day' fiasco - [Jornal Expresso](https://expresso.pt/asia/2026-08-05-sede-da-starbucks-alvo-de-buscas-pelas-autoridades-sul-coreanas-apos-campanha-publicitaria-polemica-746942e6) — Starbucks Headquarters Targeted by South Korean Authorities After Controversial Advertising Campaign - [Haberler](https://haberler.com/guncel/guney-kore-de-gwangju-katliamini-cagristiran-20118587-haberi) — Starbucks in South Korea Raided on 'Tank Day'. - [BBC News](https://bbc.com/news/articles/c0kmd4xpr46o) — Police raid Starbucks Korea headquarters over 'Tank Day' fiasco - [NOS](https://nos.nl/artikel/2625578-zuid-koreaanse-politie-doorzoekt-hoofdkantoor-starbucks-na-misplaatste-actie) — South Korean Police Search Starbucks Headquarters After Misplaced Action - [CNN](https://cnn.com/2026/08/05/asia/south-korea-raid-starbucks-tank-ad-intl-hnk) — South Korean police raid Starbucks Korea headquarters in latest twist over disastrous ad campaign - [KMIZ](https://abc17news.com/news/national-world/cnn-world/2026/08/05/south-korean-police-raid-starbucks-korea-headquarters-in-latest-twist-over-disastrous-ad-campaign) — South Korean police raid Starbucks Korea headquarters in latest twist over disastrous ad campaign - [KESQ](https://kesq.com/news/national-world/cnn-world/2026/08/04/south-korean-police-raid-starbucks-korea-headquarters-in-latest-twist-over-disastrous-ad-campaign) — South Korean police raid Starbucks Korea headquarters in latest twist over disastrous ad campaign - [KEYT](https://keyt.com/news/national-world/cnn-world/2026/08/04/south-korean-police-raid-starbucks-korea-headquarters-in-latest-twist-over-disastrous-ad-campaign) — South Korean police raid Starbucks Korea headquarters in latest twist over disastrous ad campaign - [kioncentralcoast.com](https://kioncentralcoast.com/news/national-world/cnn-world/2026/08/04/south-korean-police-raid-starbucks-korea-headquarters-in-latest-twist-over-disastrous-ad-campaign) — South Korean police raid Starbucks Korea headquarters in latest twist over disastrous ad campaign - [KIFI](https://localnews8.com/news/national-world/cnn-world/2026/08/05/south-korean-police-raid-starbucks-korea-headquarters-in-latest-twist-over-disastrous-ad-campaign) — South Korean police raid Starbucks Korea headquarters in latest twist over disastrous ad campaign - [KRDO](https://krdo.com/news/2026/08/05/south-korean-police-raid-starbucks-korea-headquarters-in-latest-twist-over-disastrous-ad-campaign) — South Korean police raid Starbucks Korea headquarters in latest twist over disastrous ad campaign - [KVIA](https://kvia.com/news/us-world/cnn-world/2026/08/05/south-korean-police-raid-starbucks-korea-headquarters-in-latest-twist-over-disastrous-ad-campaign) — South Korean police raid Starbucks Korea headquarters in latest twist over disastrous ad campaign - [Noticias de Navarra](https://noticiasdenavarra.com/mundo/2026/08/05/policia-registra-sede-starbucks-corea-del-sur-gwangju-11407582.html) — Police Searches Starbucks Headquarters in South Korea for Controversial Campaign on Gwangju Massacre · Global Voices - [Radio France Internationale](https://rfi.fr/en/international-news/20260805-south-korea-police-raid-starbucks-hq-over-tank-day-fiasco) — South Korea police raid Starbucks HQ over 'Tank Day' fiasco - [The Japan Times](https://japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/08/05/asia-pacific/crime-legal/south-korea-starbucks-headquarters-tank) — Police raid Starbucks Korea’s headquarters in Seoul over ‘Tank Day’ event - [Noticias ao Minuto](https://noticiasaominuto.com/mundo/3032254/policia-sul-coreana-faz-buscas-na-sede-da-starbucks-apos-campanha-polemica) — South Korean Police Search Starbucks Headquarters After Controversial Campaign - [Gulf News](https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/south-korea-police-raid-starbucks-hq-over-tank-day-fiasco-1.500630974) — South Korea police raid Starbucks HQ over 'Tank Day' fiasco - [Free Malaysia Today News](https://freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/08/05/south-korean-police-raid-starbucks-hq-over-tank-day-fiasco) — South Korean police raid Starbucks HQ over ‘Tank Day’ fiasco - [Bangkok Post](https://bangkokpost.com/world/3296914/south-korea-police-raid-starbucks-hq-over-tank-day-fiasco) — South Korea police raid Starbucks HQ over 'Tank Day' fiasco - [AlKhaleej Today](https://alkhaleejtoday.co/international/5863755/South-Korea-police-raid-Starbucks-headquarters-over-%E2%80%98Tank-Day%E2%80%99-controversy.html) — South Korea police raid Starbucks headquarters over ‘Tank Day’ controversy - [Malay Mail](https://malaymail.com/news/world/2026/08/05/south-korea-police-raid-starbucks-headquarters-over-tank-day-controversy/230281) — South Korea police raid Starbucks headquarters over ‘Tank Day’ controversy - [Mathrubhumi](https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/world/starbucks-korea-hq-raid-tank-day-controversy-h9gcvlpk) — Starbucks Korea HQ raided amid probe into controversial 'Tank Day' campaign - [France24](https://france24.com/en/live-news/20260805-south-korea-police-raid-starbucks-hq-over-tank-day-fiasco) — South Korea police raid Starbucks HQ over 'Tank Day' fiasco - [rtl.lu](https://today.rtl.lu/news/world/south-korea-police-raid-starbucks-hq-over-tank-day-fiasco-2087856899) — South Korea police raid Starbucks HQ over 'Tank Day' fiasco - [coastaltvnews.com](https://coastaltvnews.com/business/south-korea-police-raid-starbucks-hq-over-tank-day-fiasco/article_6680856c-4d3d-54cf-be28-9269f60990ae.html) — South Korea police raid Starbucks HQ over 'Tank Day' fiasco - [Le Figaro](https://lefigaro.fr/societes/coree-du-sud-perquisition-chez-starbucks-apres-un-fiasco-publicitaire-20260805) — South Korea: Starbucks Raid on Advertising Fiasco · Global Voices - [Reuters](https://reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-police-search-starbucks-korea-hq-over-investigation-media-report-2026-08-05) — South Korea police search Starbucks Korea HQ over investigation, media report says - [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/south-korean-police-raid-starbucks-over-alleged-insult-to-victims-of-1980-military-suppression/4018592) — South Korean police raid Starbucks over alleged insult to victims of 1980 military suppression - [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/police-raid-starbucks-korea-headquarters-over-tank-day-event) — Starbucks Korea HQ raided over 'Tank Day' event - [The Korea Times](https://koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20260805/police-raid-starbucks-korea-over-controversial-promotional-event) — Police raid Starbucks Korea over controversial promotional event - [Daum](https://v.daum.net/v/20260805085809489) — Police Raid Starbucks Korea Over ‘Tank Day Controversy’ - [연합뉴스-Yonhap News Agency](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260805002451315) — Police raid Starbucks Korea over controversial promotional event - [Unknown](https://chosun.com/national/national_general/2026/08/05/IPWJWNW73BARXG2MLKTMPPBT3I) — Police Conduct First Search and Seizure at Starbucks Korea Over ‘Tank Day’ Controversy - [Naver](https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/001/0016234151) — Police Raid Starbucks Headquarters in Yeoksam-Dong Amid 'Tank Day' controversy... on Charges of Insult ## Questions **Why did police raid Starbucks Korea?** Police raided Starbucks Korea’s headquarters on 5 August 2026 to investigate whether a May 2026 promotion insulted victims of the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy uprising. The ‘Tank Day’ campaign offered discounts on tumblers that critics said evoked the military’s violent crackdown. A civic group filed a complaint alleging insult and defamation. **What was the ‘Tank Day’ promotion?** The ‘Tank Day’ promotion offered discounts on tumblers branded with the word ‘Tank’ and the phrase ‘Put it on the table with a sound of “Tak!”’. Critics said ‘Tank’ evoked the military’s suppression of the 1980 Gwangju uprising, while ‘Tak’ reminded some of Park Jong-cheol, a student activist who died under police torture in 1987. The promotion was withdrawn after public backlash. **Who was named in the complaint against Starbucks Korea?** The complaint filed by a civic group named Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin. E-Mart, a Shinsegae affiliate, holds the controlling stake in Starbucks Korea. Chung later apologised for the campaign, and the head of Starbucks Korea was fired. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/business/police-raid-starbucks-korea-headquarters-over-1980-gwangju-uprising-promotion. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Police raid Starbucks Korea headquarters over 1980 Gwangju uprising promotion", https://mediabias.news/business/police-raid-starbucks-korea-headquarters-over-1980-gwangju-uprising-promotion