[News Today] Probe into Shinsegae chairman begins

[LEAD]

Police will investigate Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin over Starbucks Korea's May 18 'Tank Day' promotion. The move comes after civic groups filed complaints, saying the event defamed the victims' families of the May 18 Democratic Movement and Gwangju citizens.

Meanwhile, the boycott against Starbucks is spreading, with Gwangju residents and some public institutions joining the campaign.

[REPORT]

In front of an E-Mart store in Gwangju, operated by the parent company of Starbucks Korea.

Citizens smash Starbucks tumblers and mugs.

Shinsegae out!

Civic groups in Gwangju and Jeollanam-do Province say the so-called 'Tank Day' incident must be investigated by police, not through an internal probe by the Shinsegae Group.

Jang Mi-ra / Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union

The dismissal of the Starbucks Korea CEO is a cowardly attempt to block backlash targeting the group’s chief.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police has decided to directly investigate Shinsegae Chairman Chung Yong-jin and former Starbucks Korea CEO Son Jeong-hyun.

The case was initially assigned to the Gangnam Police Station, but half a day later it was reassigned to the Seoul Metropolitan Police regional investigative unit.

Meanwhile, a boycott movement against Starbucks is spreading online with users sharing tips on how to get refunds for Starbucks mobile gift cards.

Kim Hyun-kyung / Gwangju resident

As a Gwangju citizen, I find this historical distortion unacceptable. I want to be part of the boycott movement.

As local institutions and businesses are also joining the boycott movement, Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung said he refuses to use products from companies that take the nation's history and democratic values lightly.