Key facts
- Starbucks launched a 'Tank' coffee tumbler promotion in South Korea on May 18.
- May 18 is the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising.
- The promotion has led to calls for a boycott of Starbucks.
- Some consumers have destroyed Starbucks tumblers in protest.
Starbucks has encountered significant backlash in South Korea following the launch of a new promotion featuring 'Tank' coffee tumblers. The marketing campaign, initiated on May 18, coincided with the anniversary of the violent 1980 Gwangju Uprising, a historical event of significant national importance. This unfortunate timing has ignited public anger, leading to widespread calls for a boycott of the coffee chain. Reports indicate that some consumers have responded by destroying the tumblers in protest against what they perceive as a deeply insensitive marketing stunt.