Starbucks marketing sparks political firestorm ahead of South Korean elections

A heated political debate has ignited over Starbucks' marketing practices, centering on President Lee Jae-myung's strong criticism of the company's "Tank Day" promotion, which critics say trivializes the May 18th Gwangju Uprising. The controversy has escalated into a significant issue ahead of the June 3rd local elections.

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When the families were writhing in pain and the nation was immersed in sorrow, they started such an event disguised as a code of mockery, presumably enjoying themselves while insulting the victims and mocking the people.

President Lee previously lambasted Starbucks Korea for a "Siren Mug Event" held on the 10th anniversary of the Sewol Ferry disaster, calling it an insult to victims and the public. He further stated that the "Tank Day" event, held on the anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising, was difficult to view as a spontaneous incident, suggesting it was a deliberate mockery of the historical event and figures like Park Jong-cheol.

Following the president's condemnation, government ministries have taken action. The Ministry of National Defense has temporarily suspended a welfare project for soldiers conducted with Starbucks, and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced a halt to the use of Starbucks coffee exchange vouchers for government surveys and contests.

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I am enraged by the inhumane, bottom-line behavior of cheap merchants who mock the Gwangju Democratic Movement and Park Jong-cheol with their Tank Day marketing on the day of the May 18th Democratic Movement.

The opposition People Power Party has fiercely criticized these government actions, labeling them "state violence." Party representative Jang Dong-hyuk urged citizens to "judge Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party" by holding Starbucks coffee, framing the issue as a matter of freedom. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon expressed concern that "powerful authority wields a fist stronger than a hammer against the public and businesses," while Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform Party, drew parallels to the president's past actions as mayor of Seongnam.

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If you lose the local elections, you will live in a world where you cannot even drink coffee freely. Let's judge Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party by holding Starbucks coffee.

Conversely, the Democratic Party accused the People Power Party of politicizing the issue for electoral gain and defending Starbucks' "strange marketing." Party spokesperson Park Hae-cheol criticized the opposition's stance as "Ilbe-style political behavior" that condones "far-right extremism and mockery."

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Is it not to rally supporters by defending Starbucks' strange marketing?