On the 19th, Choi Jun-yong shared a photo with the caption, “Coffee is all about Starbucks!” The post included hashtags such as #MyeolgongHyunga, #MyeolgongCoffee, and #Starbucks.
In the revealed photo, Choi Jun-yong is seen drinking a Starbucks beverage in what appears to be his home.
This follows a controversy where Starbucks Korea held a “Dante, Tank, Nasu Day” event on the 18th, using phrases like “Tank Day” and “Tack on the desk!” The promotion took place on the same day as the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement. As a result, criticism spread online that these expressions mocked and belittled the May 18 Democratization Movement and the 1987 torture-death of activist Park Jong-chol.
As the controversy escalated, Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin dismissed the CEO of Starbucks Korea (SCK Company) and the executives in charge on the same day. Starbucks Korea also issued a formal public apology, stating, “We have caused deep pain to the spirits of the May 18 Democratization Movement, the bereaved families, and the public.”
Shinsegae Group subsequently promised to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances and approval process of the incident and transparently disclose the results. They also pledged to re-examine the review process for marketing content across all affiliates, refine deliberation procedures, and provide education to all employees to establish strict historical awareness and ethical standards.
