Shinsegae Group chairman Chung Yong-jin on Tuesday apologised to the public in person, eight days after Starbucks Korea, run by the conglomerate, sparked controversy with its “Tank Day” marketing event, which critics say inappropriately referenced South Korea’s pro-democracy movement of the 1980s. “Regardless of the reason, the fact that we have hurt the hearts of our citizens carries a heavy responsibility,” Chung said during a press conference. “I will make no excuses. All responsibility for...
Starbucks withdrew the campaign for its drink tumblers after many said it referenced a bloody crackdown.
South Korea’s food conglomerate Shinsegae Group has fired the head of Starbucks Korea after a promotion campaign sparked public uproar on the anniversary of pro-democracy protests. Shinsegae, the South Korean licensee of the US coffee chain, said in a statement on Monday that chairman Chung Yong-jin sacked Sohn Jeong-hyun, the head of Starbucks Korea, for carrying out “inappropriate marketing”. Hours earlier the South Korean coffee chain launched a “Tank Day” promotion, which South Koreans...