Shinsegae Vice President Visits May 18 Bereaved Families, Apology for 'Tank Day' Controversy Rejected: "Will Apologize Again After Full Investigation"

Starbucks Event Sparks Controversy Over May 18 Democratic Uprising Disparagement
Vice President Soo-wan Kim Visits Gwangju; May 18 Organizations Refuse Entry
"No Malicious Intent... Investigating Whether Any 'Ilbe' Employees Were Involved"

As Starbucks Korea sparked public outrage by holding the so-called "Tank Day" event on the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, an executive from Shinsegae Group visited Gwangju to apologize to May 18 organizations on behalf of the group, but his attempt was rejected.

On May 19, Suwan Kim, Executive Vice President of Shinsegae Group, visited the May 18 Memorial Culture Center in Ssangchon-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, to apologize for the event conducted by Starbucks Korea on behalf of the group. However, May 18 organizations blocked Kim's attempt to enter. Kim said, "I spoke with the May 18 Memorial Foundation on the phone yesterday afternoon, and since the foundation granted permission for a meeting, I came down from Seoul. However, it appears this situation arose due to differences of opinion among the organizations."

Starbucks Korea is causing controversy with its May 18 distortion event. On the 19th, Suwan Kim, Executive Vice President of Emart Group, visited the May 18 Memorial Culture Center in Ssangchon-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, and attempted to meet with May 18 organizations, but the meeting was canceled and he is now leaving. Yonhap News

He stated, "The group is taking this matter very seriously," adding, "I sincerely apologize to the spirits of May, and as this was an inappropriate marketing campaign, we will do our utmost to ensure this never happens again."

Kim also said, "There was no intention or deliberate motive behind the controversial event." He added, "We are thoroughly investigating whether any employees involved in the planning and approval of the event had participated in 'Ilbe' activities." He continued, "Once all the facts are made clear, I will visit the May 18 organizations again to offer another apology."

Kim visited Gwangju on the instructions of Shinsegae Group Chairman Yongjin Chung, who is currently overseas, to deliver an apology. Earlier that day, Chairman Chung issued a public statement, saying, "On behalf of the group, I deeply bow my head in apology to the spirits and bereaved families of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, as well as to the people of Korea, for causing such deep hurt," and admitted, "I fully recognize that all responsibility lies with me."

Previously, Starbucks Korea launched a tumbler promotion event from May 15 to May 26, during which the promotional poster included phrases such as "Tank Day" and "Desk Slam." Online communities and social networking services (SNS) pointed out that these expressions were seen as disparaging the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising and the 1987 death of student activist Park Jongcheol under torture. The controversy arose because the event evoked the memory of former President Chun Doohwan's use of tanks to massacre Gwangju citizens during May 18, as well as the notorious explanation by security authorities that Park Jongcheol "died after slamming his fist on the desk and groaning."

As the controversy grew, Starbucks Korea posted an apology on its application and website, but the public outcry did not subside. President Jaemyung Lee also criticized Starbucks Korea in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account the previous day, stating, "On the historic anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising, how could they hold a 'May 18 Tank Day' event that mocks the blood-stained struggle of the victims and citizens of Gwangju?" He further condemned Starbucks Korea, saying, "I am outraged by such inhumane, outrageous behavior by these low-quality merchants who deny the fundamental human rights and democratic values of Korea's community."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.