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South Korean police raid Starbucks Korea headquarters in latest twist over disastrous ad campaign
CNN • • general
Key Points:
- South Korean police raided Starbucks Korea headquarters amid an investigation linked to the upcoming Liberation Day, though specific details were not disclosed.
- The raid follows a public backlash over a controversial "Tank Day" ad campaign launched in May, which coincided with Democratization Movement Day, a sensitive date commemorating the 1980 Gwangju Uprising.
- The campaign sparked widespread outrage, including condemnation from President Lee Jae Myung, leading Starbucks Korea to issue a formal apology and the firing of its CEO for inappropriate marketing.
- Starbucks Korea has experienced a significant sales decline and implemented damage control measures, such as closing stores for staff training on historical awareness and social sensitivity.
- The incident highlights the ongoing sensitivity in South Korea regarding historical events related to authoritarianism and democracy, underscoring the importance of cultural awareness in corporate marketing.
