Jeong Seongho: "If the May 18 Amendment Had Passed, the 'Tank Day' Outrage Would Not Have Happened"

"Strict Accountability for Crimes of Historical Distortion and Mockery of Victims
Zero Tolerance Policy to Be Enforced"

Yonhap News Agency

Minister of Justice Jeong Seongho stated on May 20 that significant responsibility lies in the failure to amend the Constitution to include a preamble dedicated to the spirit of the May 18 Democratization Movement, in connection with the controversy over Starbucks Korea's "May 18 Tank Day" marketing campaign.

Minister Jeong commented on his social media account on this day, "If only 13 days ago, the National Assembly had passed the constitutional amendment to include the spirit of May 18 in the preamble, as agreed by both the ruling and opposition parties, such an unethical act as the 'Tank Day' campaign by the well-known coffee brand Starbucks would have been unimaginable."

He continued, "Even upon reflection, it is deeply regrettable that the failure to include the spirit of May 18 in the constitutional preamble has left room for hatred and distortion of the May 18 Democratization Movement in our society," and added, "I am keenly aware of the heavy responsibilities and roles of politics." He further emphasized, "Although the road to establish justice and common sense is long and arduous, the Ministry of Justice will faithfully fulfill its duties."

He added, "As the ministry in charge of the 'Special Act on the May 18 Democratization Movement,' we will strictly hold accountable, under a principle of zero tolerance, those who commit crimes of spreading false information that distorts historical truth and insults that mock the deaths of the victims."

Previously, Starbucks Korea came under fire for using the phrases "Tank Day" and "Bang on the Desk" in a tumbler promotion held on May 18, the anniversary of the May 18 Democratization Movement. Critics pointed out that these phrases disparaged both the May 18 Democratization Movement and the 1987 torture and death of activist Park Jongcheol. Chung Yongjin, Chairman of Shinsegae Group, dismissed Sohn Jeonghyun, CEO of Starbucks Korea (SCK Company), along with the responsible executive, and issued a public apology to the nation.

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