Police raid Starbucks Korea over Tank Day

South Korean police raided the headquarters of Starbucks on August 5, 2026, as part of an ongoing investigation into the company's controversial 'Tank Day' promotional campaign. The campaign, launched on May 18, the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, offered discounts on 'Tank' tumblers and used the phrase 'Put it on the table with a sound of Tak!', which critics said mocked the victims of the military crackdown and insulted the memory of student activist Park Jong-chul. The backlash led to protests, boycotts, and the resignation of Starbucks CEO Son Jung-hyun, as well as public apologies from Shinsegae Chairman Chung Yong-jin. Police executed a search and seizure warrant at the company's headquarters in Seoul, marking the first compulsory investigative measure in the case. The investigation follows a criminal complaint filed by a civic group and bereaved families against Chung and others, alleging defamation and insult. Starbucks has denied intentional wrongdoing but admitted its internal audit was limited. The company closed all its stores early for sensitivity training in June. The controversy has negatively impacted sales, with card payment volume falling 17% from May to June, according to IGAWorks.