Starbucks to Close South Korea Outlets for History Lessons Amid Ad Controversy
Starbucks plans to temporarily close its stores across South Korea to implement history lessons for its employees. This decision follows a recent promotional misstep, dubbed the 'Tank Day' ad fiasco, involving a reusable cup campaign. The promotion's timing coincided with the anniversary of the Gwangju uprising, a historical event in which 165 civilians were officially reported killed, though many believe the actual death toll was significantly higher.
Starbucks has announced its intention to close outlets throughout South Korea temporarily. The closures are designated for staff to partake in history lessons, addressing a recent public relations incident.
The move follows a controversy referred to as the 'Tank Day' ad fiasco. This incident involved a reusable cup promotion whose scheduled date inadvertently aligned with the anniversary of the Gwangju uprising.
The Gwangju uprising is a significant historical event in South Korea, during which 165 civilian fatalities were officially recorded. However, many historical accounts suggest that the actual number of casualties from the uprising was substantially higher.
According to Euronews, the company's initiative aims to provide education and context following the promotional error.
