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Starbucks Korea Faces Backlash Over Marketing Misstep Linked to Gwangju Massacre

A marketing campaign by Starbucks Korea coinciding with the anniversary of the Gwangju massacre has led to public outrage and the dismissal of the company's CEO.

Editorial StaffMay 23, 20261 MIN READ

On May 18, a marketing campaign launched by Starbucks Korea sparked immediate backlash due to its timing with the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju massacre.

The campaign, which referenced a tragic event in South Korea's history, was quickly halted as public outrage grew.

In response to the incident, Starbucks Korea's CEO was dismissed, highlighting the company's swift action in the face of criticism.