May 18 Groups File Police Complaint Against Starbucks 'Tank Day' Chairman Chung Yongjin

Complaint Filed with Seobu Police for Violating Special Act and Defamation
"Focus Is on Punishing the Chairman, Not the Company or Employees"
Controversy Over Phrases Like "Bang the Desk!" Belittling Historical Pain

In connection with the controversy surrounding Starbucks Korea's "May 18 Tank Day" marketing campaign, May 18 organizations have filed a police complaint against Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yongjin and related parties. Although Chairman Chung recently held a public apology press conference, the May 18 groups labeled it as a "disingenuous attempt at evasion" and are calling for legal action and punishment of the group’s leader. Their response is intensifying the controversy amid the ongoing election season.

The May 18 Memorial Foundation and the three official May 18 organizations (the Families Association, the Injured Association, and the Merit Association) submitted a complaint to the Seobu Police Station in Gwangju on the morning of the 28th. The complaint charges Chairman Chung, former Starbucks Korea CEO Sohn Jeonghyun, and a marketing manager (three individuals in total) with violating the Special Act on the May 18 Democratization Movement, as well as defamation and insult under the Information and Communications Network Act.

On the morning of the 28th, Yoon Namsik, President of the May 18 Democratization Movement Merit Association, submitted a complaint to the Civil Affairs Office of the Western Police Station in Chipyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, requesting the prosecution of Shin Yongjin, Chairman of Shinsegae Group, for charges including violation of the May 18 Special Act. Photo by Yonhap News

The organizations argued that Starbucks, during a tumbler promotion on May 18—the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Democratization Movement—used phrases such as "Tank Day" and "Bang the desk!" which they claim belittled the historical pain and scars of May, insulting the bereaved families and citizens of Gwangju. They pointed out that these phrases evoke memories of the deployment of martial law tanks to suppress citizens during May 18, as well as the death-by-torture case of Park Jongcheol.

After submitting the complaint, Yoon Namsik, chairman of the May 18 Democratic Movement Veterans Association, told reporters, "We have filed this case to punish Chairman Chung Yongjin, who issued an insincere apology," adding, "While he claimed to be apologizing to the public, he was only focused on damage control, and his message was effectively one of self-justification."

He continued, "Shinsegae has been persistently requesting meetings and making contact with May 18 organizations, which amounts to a form of 'lobbying'. We are not seeking to harm the company or its employees, but rather to ensure the leader is held accountable. We will continue to demand punishment until a sincere apology and responsibility are established."

Complaints and accusations against Chairman Chung and Shinsegae Group are spreading on all fronts. On the 20th, the Citizens’ Committee for Livelihood Countermeasures filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. Then, on the 25th, 27 individuals—including May 18 merit awardees and bereaved families led by Park Haseong—submitted a complaint to the Gwangju Nambu Police Station, requesting a travel ban on Chairman Chung and a search and seizure of Shinsegae Group. Park Jongbu, the elder brother of the late activist Park Jongcheol, also clearly expressed his wish for punishment.

Previously, on the 26th, the Injured Association filed a complaint on the same charges against three people, including People Power Party lawmaker Park Sooyoung, who shared a column by poet Jeong Jaehak in support of Shinsegae.

As the controversy grew, Starbucks belatedly canceled the event, and Chairman Chung Yongjin held a public apology press conference on the 26th, stating, "I sincerely bow my head in apology and will bring about real change through action." However, as the May 18 organizations rejected the sincerity of the apology and warned of a tough response, Chairman Chung now faces a crisis on all sides.

The organizations announced plans to launch a broad citizen petition, collecting signatures calling for strong punishment of Chairman Chung for exploiting May’s history in marketing.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.