Police raid Starbucks Korea over "Tank Day" campaign tied to Gwangju massacre

South Korean police raided Starbucks Korea's Seoul headquarters and executives' homes on 5 August 2026, investigating a tumbler campaign called "SS Tank" launched on 18 May — the Gwangju uprising anniversary. The slogan "Thwack it on the table!" echoed a police cover-up of a 1987 torture killing. Shinsegae cancelled the campaign, dismissed the CEO, and closed all stores for training.