[News Today] Backlash intensifies over Starbucks

[LEAD]

Public backlash is intensifying against Starbucks over its 'Tank Day' promotion, held on the anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Movement.

As an online boycott campaign spreads, some May 18 Democratic Merit Recipients and Gwangju citizens have filed complaints against Starbucks Korea and Chairman Chung Yong-jin.

[REPORT]

A Starbucks store in Gwangju.

It is lunch time when the store would normally be busy and crowded. But the cafe with over 50 seats is largely empty.

On the entrance of the store, an apology for the 'Tank Day' promotional event is put up.

Campaigns to boycott Starbucks is spreading with continuing online posts declaring decisions to never buy the company's products again.

Legal actions are also being taken.

Some individuals recognized as contributors to the May 18 Democratization Movement filed complaints with the police against Starbucks Korea, Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin and four management officials.

Park Ha-seong / May 18 Uprising contributor

The May 18 Uprising, stained with the blood and tears of victims, is being reduced to object of ridicule and gossip through the shallow commercial marketing of a corporation.

Civic groups held protests in front of a Shinsegae Department Store in Gwangju.

They demanded the resignation of Chairman Chung, defining the incident as an act of distorting history.

Following Chung's official apology, media outlets reported that even Starbucks' global headquarters also expressed its apology.

But public criticism over what is seen as a distorted perception of history remains unrelenting.