Starbucks Korea to close stores early for historical awareness training

Starbucks Korea is set to implement an unprecedented nationwide early closure of all its stores at 3 p.m. on June 22.

This decision marks the first time in its history, since the opening of its first store in Ewha Womans University in 1999, that all Starbucks locations across South Korea will cease operations simultaneously. The move is intended to allow all employees to participate in mandatory historical awareness and social sensitivity training.

The training initiative comes as a direct response to a marketing slogan controversy that emerged last month, prompting the company to address potential issues related to cultural and historical understanding among its staff.

Industry observers view this as a significant step by Starbucks Korea to acknowledge and rectify the situation, prioritizing employee education to prevent future missteps and reinforce its commitment to social responsibility.