Police Question Shinsegae Official as Witness in Starbucks 'Tank Day' Investigation

Criminal Complaint Filed Against Chairman Chong Yongjin
Audit Team Head Summoned for Police Investigation

Allegations of Insult and Defamation Weighed as Authorities Consider Charges

The police, who are investigating allegations that Starbucks insulted the contributors to the May 18 Democratic Uprising with its "Tank Day" promotion, have summoned the head of Shinsegae Group’s audit team as a witness for questioning.

The Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 17th that it had called Yang Jongwan, head of Shinsegae Group’s audit team, to the Mapo Complex Government Office for questioning starting in the morning. Yang personally explained the findings of the group’s internal investigation during the announcement following Chairman Jung Yongjin’s public apology last month.

Chong Yongjin, Chairman of Shinsegae Group, along with the management team and all employees of Starbucks Korea, will receive training to enhance their historical awareness and cultivate social sensitivity. On the 22nd, the day of the training, Starbucks Korea will close its stores nationwide early to conduct the education. On the 17th, a related notice was posted at a Starbucks store in downtown Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On May 18, the anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, Starbucks Korea sold a "Tank Tumbler Set" through its application, using phrases such as "5·18 Tank Day" and "Bang on the Desk!" as event slogans. In response, contributors to the May 18 Democratic Uprising and the civil group People’s Livelihood Countermeasure Committee filed a complaint against Shinsegae Group Chairman Jung and former CEO Son Jeonghyeon, accusing them of insult and defamation. They claimed that these expressions evoke memories of the deployment of armored vehicles by martial law troops during the May 18 Democratic Uprising and the infamous words from the 1987 Park Jongcheol torture and death case, "He died after the desk was banged on," spoken by the police at the time.

Previously, Shinsegae Group submitted the results of its internal audit to the police. During the investigation on this day, authorities further examined the internal investigation process and any unresolved matters. Shinsegae Group stated that its own audit did not find any evidence to prove intent behind the promotion.

The police, who were assigned the case last month, are reviewing legal matters and questioning those involved; they are also considering whether to conduct a search and seizure in the future.

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