THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

Starbucks Korea to temporarily shut all stores for history lesson after ... Starbucks Korea will simultaneously close all its stores for a mandatory history lesson, after a disastrous promotion that evoked memories of a pro-democracy massacre sparked public and political backlash . More than 2,000 stores will temporarily close at 3pm on 22 June, the company said, so staff can watch recorded lectures on modern Korean history and engage in “social sensitivity” training. The half-day closures will cost Starbucks an estimated 2.1bn won ($1.4m) in lost sales, according to data firm IGAWorks. The measures follow a public relations crisis triggered when Starbucks Korea ran a discount promotion for its “Tank” tumbler series on 18 May, the anniversary of a 1980 massacre in Gwangju . The promotion led to store boycotts, customers smashing Starbucks mugs and tumblers and government ministries cutting ties with the chain. Chung Yong-jin, the billionaire chair of Shinsegae Group, which operates Starbucks Korea under licence from its US parent company, will take the same training on 24 June alongside other executives. The curriculum covers major events in contemporary Korean history and how com…

Starbucks Korea to close stores early for mandatory history training after ... Starbucks Korea to close stores early for mandatory history training after marketing row Kim Tong-Hyung Associated Press Published: June 15, 2026 at 5:44 AM Full Screen 1 / 3 Previous photo Next photo A sign for Starbucks is displayed in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) Chung Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group, which owns a 67.5% stake in Starbucks Korea, speaks in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) Chung Yong-jin, a chairman of Shinsegae Group, bows to apologize in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved A sign for Starbucks is displayed in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) SEOUL – Starbucks’ South Korean operation said Monday it will close all of its stores nationwide early on June 22 for mandatory history and social sensitivity training as it reels from backlash following a marketing campaign that was widely perceived as mocking victims of a brutal military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in 1980. Shinsegae Group, w…

Starbucks Korea to shut stores early after marketing controversy Starbucks ’ South Korean operation has announced it will close all its stores nationwide early on June 22 for mandatory history and social sensitivity training. The initiative comes after the coffee chain faced backlash for a marketing campaign widely perceived as mocking victims of a brutal military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in 1980. Shinsegae Group, which owns a 67.5 per cent stake in Starbucks Korea, confirmed that group executives and employees at Starbucks Korea’s headquarters will attend training led by history and sociology professors this Wednesday. All Starbucks stores across the country will close at 3pm next Monday, enabling staff to watch a recording of the session, according to a statement from Shinsegae. The coffee chain triggered an uproar when it attempted to promote a series of stainless-steel tumblers it called “SS Tank” by declaring May 18 to be “Tank Day.” The date marks the anniversary of the 1980 pro-democracy uprising in the southern city of Gwangju. It was violently suppressed by Seoul’s military government at the time, which deployed troops, tanks and helicopters, leaving hundreds…

Why Starbucks Korea is shutting all stores on June 22 Starbucks Korea will shut down all its stores on June 22 for a mandatory history lesson Why Starbucks Korea is shutting all stores on June 22 By Mudit Dube Jun 16, 2026 05:56 pm What's the story Starbucks Korea will temporarily shut down all its stores nationwide except a handful of airport outlets on June 22 for a mandatory history lesson. The decision comes after a marketing campaign that was widely criticized for being insensitive to the Gwangju Uprising of 1980. The campaign, which promoted stainless-steel tumblers called "SS Tank," declared May 18 as "Tank Day," the anniversary of the Gwangju pro-democracy uprising. Campaign fallout Campaign's slogan also drew ire The marketing campaign was further criticized for its slogan "Thwack it on the table!" which many interpreted as a reference to a notorious 1987 police statement about student activist Park Jong-chol's torture death. The backlash included store boycotts and customers breaking Starbucks products. In response, Shinsegae Group, which operates Starbucks Korea under license, canceled the campaign within hours and fired Starbucks Korea's CEO. Training and losse…

Starbucks Korea to close all stores early to carry out history training after 'Tank Day' promotion backlash SEOUL, June 22 (Yonhap) -- Starbucks Korea will close all of its stores nationwi...

Starbucks Korea to close all stores early to carry out history training ... A Starbucks store in Seoul, Wednesday / Yonhap Starbucks Korea will close all of its stores nationwide early Monday to provide employee training aimed at improving historical awareness and social sensitivity, following a controversial promotion linked to the 1980 pro-democracy uprising in Gwangju. All 2,160 stores across the country will close at 3 p.m. It marks the first time Starbucks Korea has ended operations early nationwide since opening its first outlet in 1999. Starbucks Korea, operated by E-Mart Inc., a unit of Shinsegae Group, launched an online "Tank Day" promotion on May 18, the anniversary of the Gwangju pro-democracy uprising. The event was suspended within hours after drawing widespread public criticism. "The program will consist of a brand value workshop designed to enhance employees' understanding of historical awareness, social sensitivity, and the values and mission that Starbucks seeks to uphold," a company official said. Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin and other senior executives will also participate in the same training program Wednesday. The controversy stemmed from a …

Starbucks Korea to close stores early on June 22 for company-wide ... (Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea) Starbucks Korea will temporarily close all stores nationwide at 3 p.m. on June 22 to conduct company-wide training focused on historical awareness and social sensitivity. According to Shinsegae Group, all Starbucks Korea employees, including headquarters staff and store workers, will participate in the program through video-based educational sessions. It marks the first time since Starbucks Korea opened in 1999 that every store in the country will close early on the same day. Ahead of the training, Shinsegae Group will hold educational sessions on June 17 for executives from E-Mart affiliates and Starbucks Korea headquarters employees at the group’s training center in Seoul. Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin is also expected to participate in a separate training session with affiliate CEOs before the group’s executive meeting on June 24. The history program will be led by Sungkyunkwan University historian Oh Je-yeon, who will examine key events in modern Korean history and discuss their significance. A separate session on social awareness, led by sociology prof…

Starbucks Korea to temporarily shut all stores for history lesson after bungled coffee promotion <p>The closures, so employees can watch a recorded lecture, will cost the company an estimated 2.1bn won ($1.4m) in sales</p><p>Starbucks Korea will simultaneously close all its stores for a mandatory history lesson, after a disastrous promotion that evoked memories of a pro-democracy massacre <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/06/starbucks-south-korea-tank-day-promotion-blunder">sparked public and political backlash</a>.</p><p>More than 2,000 stores will temporarily close at 3pm on 22 June, the company said, so staff can watch recorded lectures on modern Korean history and engage in “social sensitivity” training. The half-day closures will cost Starbucks an estimated 2.1bn won ($1.4m) in lost sales, according to data firm IGAWorks.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/16/starbucks-korea-shut-all-stores-tank-day-promotion">Continue reading...</a>