{"id":2614314,"date":"2026-06-15T15:50:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T19:50:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/south-koreas-starbucks-to-close-for-staff-history-lesson-after-insensitive-ad\/"},"modified":"2026-06-15T15:54:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T19:54:25","slug":"south-koreas-starbucks-to-close-for-staff-history-lesson-after-insensitive-ad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/south-koreas-starbucks-to-close-for-staff-history-lesson-after-insensitive-ad\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea\u2019s Starbucks to close for staff history lesson after insensitive ad"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fsouth-koreas-starbucks-to-close-for-staff-history-lesson-after-insensitive-ad%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2614314&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Starbucks in South Korea will close its stores for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-i-learned-that-grading-students-is-racist\/\" title=\"How I Learned That Grading Students Is Racist\">half-day<\/a> to conduct history lessons for employees amid criticism over a controversial &#8220;Tank Day&#8221; promotion. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/progressive-groups-launch-1-5-million-ad-campaign-to-pressure-sen-sinema-on-filibuster\/\" title=\"Progressive groups launch .5 million ad ... to pressure Sen. Sinema on filibuster\">campaign featured<\/a> a new \u201cTank\u201d coffee thermos <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/student-finds-elusive-treasure-of-gold-gemstones-and-pre-columbian-artifacts-stashed-in-rocky-mountains\/\" title=\"Student Finds Elusive Treasure of Gold, Gemstones and Pre-Columbian Artifacts Stashed in Rocky Mountains\">launched<\/a> on the anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising, a pro-democracy protest marked by significant casualties. The promotion\u2019s timing and imagery, including militaristic slogans like \u201cThwack on the desk,\u201d sparked public outrage, protests, and vandalism of Starbucks merchandise. The company\u2019s CEO, Son Jeong-hyun, apologized and was dismissed, with plans for <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >company-wide training<\/a> on ancient awareness.The national backlash also prompted Starbucks Korea\u2019s first nationwide early closure since 1999 and an apology from the Shinsegae Group, which owns Starbucks in South Korea. The incident drew criticism from South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who called the campaign \u201cinhumane and disgraceful,\u201d and revealed that the slogan had been generated using artificial intelligence.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/starbucks\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"937\">Starbucks<\/a> in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/south-korea\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2221\">South Korea<\/a> will close its storefronts for a half-day next week so employees can attend a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/history\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1546\">history<\/a> lesson as the coffee chain faces widespread criticism over a \u201cTank Day\u201d promotion.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The campaign <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/advertising\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"523\">advertising<\/a> Starbucks\u2019s new \u201cTank\u201d coffee thermos for bigger coffees was launched on the 46-year anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising, a series of pro-democracy protests against former dictator Chun Doo-hwan in which at least 165 people were killed, but other sources put the death toll in the thousands. <\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4607328\/doj-greenlights-warner-bros-paramount-merger\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DOJ greenlights Warner Bros. merger with Paramount<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4606438\/progressives-should-thank-tech-billionaires-creating-millions-jobs-joe-concha\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Progressives should thank tech billionaires for creating jobs: Joe Concha<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/energy-and-environment\/4604338\/opec-cuts-oil-demand-forecast-strait-hormuz-closure\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>OPEC cuts oil demand forecast again as Strait of Hormuz closure continues<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The coffee chain fired its chief executive, Son Jeong-hyun, the same day the promotion launched. Son apologized for the campaign and tumbler name choice before his dismissal and pledged company-wide training on historical awareness and ethics. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Starbucks locations across South Korea will be closed at 3 p.m. local time for three hours on June 24 for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/family-kicked-out-of-whole-foods-because-disabled-daughter-couldnt-wear-mask\/\" title=\"Family Kicked Out Of Whole Foods Because Disabled Daughter Couldn\u2019t Wear Mask\">staff training<\/a> on the history of the Gwangju Uprising, which began on May 18, 1980, and lasted 10 days. The closure marks Starbucks Korea\u2019s first nationwide early closure since 1999. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shinsegae Group, the company that owns the Starbucks licensing agreement in South Korea, issued an apology the following day, May 19, and said Chairman Chung <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/chung-yong-jin\/\">Yong-jin<\/a> will participate in the companywide training. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Anger over the company\u2019s campaign spread quickly. Protesters gathered outside of locations across the country and smashed the mugs and tumblers released as part of the \u201cTank Day\u201d promotion. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Protesters not only took issue with the mug\u2019s militaristic name and the timing of its release but also the slogan Starbucks used, \u201cThwack on the desk.\u201d The same onomatopoeia was used by police after the 1987 death of student activist Park Jong-chul when authorities claimed Park died due to an officer who had used his fist to \u201chit the desk with a thwack.\u201d  <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"h-starmer-announces-social-media-ban-for-uk-children-under-16\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4608573\/keir-starmer-uk-social-media-ban-children-under-16\/\"><strong>STARMER ANNOUNCES SOCIAL MEDIA BAN FOR UK CHILDREN UNDER 16<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shinsegae Group said in a statement that the marketing department had chosen the \u201cthwack on the desk\u201d slogan after using an artificial intelligence tool. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The incident also caught the attention of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who called the campaign \u201cinhumane and disgraceful\u201d on social media during the initial backlash last month.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Starbucks Korea to close for training over &#8220;Tank Day&#8221; controversy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2614315,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25328814282013.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[81221,45385,34188,81222,9843],"class_list":["post-2614314","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-insensitive-ad","tag-public-apology","tag-south-korea","tag-staff-training","tag-starbucks"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25328814282013.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2614314","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2614314"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2614314\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2614318,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2614314\/revisions\/2614318"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2614315"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2614314"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2614314"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2614314"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}